Work Starts On First New German "Spy Ship"

German shipbuilder NVL has cut steel on the first of three new SIGINT reconnaissance vessels for the German Navy.

As per a recent company press release, the first plates for the hull of the new vessel were plasma-cut at NVL's factory in Lemwerder towards the end of last month. NVL, the naval vessel arm of Lürssen, had been commissioned to design the SIGINT (signals/intelligence-gathering) ships — officially designated as 'fleet service ships" — in the middle of 2021. Two years later it was commissioned to build them, too.

The 130-metre Class 424 vessels, which the firm described as "future-proof" will act as reconnaissance platforms for the German Navy and will be "equipped with the latest sensor technology." The ships are designed to 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 start of works were attended by Flotilla Admiral Andreas Czerwinski, Head of the Sea Department of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), Lürssen's Managing Director Justus Reinke, and Tim Wagner, the CEO of NVL.

Having pressed the button to start the plate-cutting process, Mr Wagner remarked: "After a successful design and construction phase, we are now entering the construction phase as planned."

He added: "This means that this technologically extremely complex new construction project is well on its way. With Fr. Lürssen Werft, we also have a highly competent manufacturing partner on board. This means that we are making full use of the skills and resources within the Lürssen Group, which also includes NVL with its new construction sites in Hamburg and Wolgast. In addition, we are cooperating with other north-German shipyard partners and leading German systems technology companies on this demanding project."

• You can read more details on the NVL website