The Frankfurt am Main (A1412) combat support vessel, the largest ship class in the German Navy, arrived on Feb. 17 in Kiel in preparation for the deployment of the integrated Naval Rescue Centre (iMERZ). New cranes and a launching device for the tenders are also to be integrated.

The German Defense Ministry announced on Oct. 31 it will procure a further two Type 212 submarines, in a global move to invest ten billion euros in new equipment in 2020.