NVL Lays Keel Of First New German Navy "Spy Ship"

German shipbuilder NVL has laid the keel of the first of three new Type 424 SIGINT reconnaissance vessels for the German Navy.

NVL, the naval vessel arm of Lürssen, was commissioned to build the signals/intelligence-gathering (SIGINT) boats — officially designated as 'fleet service ships" — in 2023, having designed them two years previously.

The 130-metre Type 424s, which the firm has described as "future-proof" will act as reconnaissance platforms for the German Navy. They will replace the Bundeswehr's Oste-class vessels, which have been in service since the latter years of the 1980s.

The first of the Type 424s is scheduled to go into service in 2027, with all three boats due to be completed by 2029.

The ceremonial keel-laying at the Wolgast Peene shipyard on Tuesday was attended by political dignitaries, and representatives from both the Bundeswehr and business.

 Vice Admiral Thomas Daum said: “Our fleet service boats in particular, driven by the German Navy and operated in reconnaissance by soldiers of the Cyber ​​and Information Space Service, are a highly effective, indispensable strategic reconnaissance tool for war-ready armed forces.”

Inspector of the Navy Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack added the new ships represented “a technical generational leap in sensor technology, data processing and data transfer.”

• You can read more details on the NVL website