Four new MEKO A-200 frigates for the German Navy moved a step closer after the federal government approved the next stage in the acquisition process.
Last week the German government’s Budget Committee approved the extension of a preliminary agreement to buy four of the TKMS-produced warships as part of a €7.8bn package through to 2033, with the first ship to be delivered as soon as 2029.
An initial contract for the project was signed at the end of January between TKMS and the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw).
As per a TKMS press statement: “The extension of the preliminary agreement allows TKMS to continue reserving production capacity with subcontractors and suppliers and to order materials, equipment, and machinery while preparations for a final construction contract are underway.
“The necessary intermediate steps, the formal drafting of the contract, and the preparation for parliamentary review are now to be carried out in a timely manner.
“The MEKO A-200 frigate developed by TKMS has proven itself internationally and offers an excellent solution for rapidly strengthening the German Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities.”
The decision to look at acquiring the MEKO frigates was prompted by concerns at delays to Germany’s F126 future frigate programme. The German government has an existing deal in place with Dutch firm Damen Naval to buy six Niedersachsen-class F126 frigates.
The original €5.5bn deal for four vessels was struck at the start of 2020, and this was extended to six ships in June 2024. But the delivery date for the first of the 166m, 10,500-tonne vessels has already been pushed back to 2028, and there has been speculation it may slip further.
Work is ongoing to reallocate the programme to Rheinmetall Naval, Rheinmetall’s new Naval Systems division – formerly Naval Vessels Lürssen (NVL). If this goes through, Rheinmetall has stated it believes it can get the first F126 warship built and ready for final outfitting in 2028.
The MEKO A-200 ships are 121m long, and displace just under 4,000 tonnes. They can sail at up to 29 knots and have a range of more than 6,500 nautical miles. They can each accommodate two light or one medium-sized helicopter, plus two uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).
They also feature a side launch-and-recovery system (LARS) for their two 8m rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs).
They are the base platform for Australia’s seven Anzac-class frigates; Turkiye’s eight Yavuz/Barbaros-class warships; Greece’s four Hydra-class and Portugal’s three Vasco da Gama-class ships. Other variants are also in use with Algeria, Egypt, South Africa and New Zealand.
- You can read more details on the TKMS website