German defence prime Rheinmetall has won a multi-million-Euro contract to breathe new life into German Navy frigate Bayern.
The modernisation programme will extend the operational life of 143-metre warship, which first entered service in 1996, until at least 2035, as per a company press statement. It said the contract value was “in the mid-three-digit million Euro range.”
The works will be carried out at Rheinmetall’s Neue Jadewerft shipyard in Wilhelmshaven, where the ship is already berthed, and will continue until 2029.
The schedule will include replacing the frigate’s Combat Management System (CMS) and upgrading its radar sensor suite. There will also be overhauls of the warship’s engine and propulsion systems and improvements to its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities.
The Rheinmetall statement noted: “These measures will bring the F123-class frigate up to the latest technological standards and sustainably enhance its capabilities for future operations.”
The firm’s Naval Systems CEO Tim Wagner commented: “We are now fully focused on delivering the project on schedule. The Neue Jadewerft shipyard has many years of experience in the modernization and maintenance of naval vessels — particularly frigates — and possesses extensive expertise in integrating complex maritime systems.
“Combined with our close cooperation with all project partners and our customer, these capabilities provide the foundation for delivering the ship to the German Navy on time and to the required quality standards.”
- You can read more details on the Rheinmetall website
