On October 8th, U.S. company Raytheon (a subsidiary of RTX) announced that its advanced SPY-6(V)1 radars had been selected by the German Navy to equip its new F127-class frigates, for which a total of eight units are currently on order. The agreement was reached in cooperation with the U.S. Navy as part of a Foreign Military Sale (FMS), and in addition to the radars themselves, includes logistical and technical support to ensure that Berlin becomes the system’s first international customer without major setbacks.
Celebrating the news, Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon, stated: “Germany’s selection of the SPY-6 reaffirms global confidence in the radar’s advanced capabilities and its crucial role in enhancing naval defense. Integrating the radar into the F127 frigates will provide the German Navy with a multi-mission solution that enables faster and more informed decision-making at sea.”
It is worth recalling that the radars to be acquired by the German Navy feature four phased array faces, each equipped with 37 radar modular assemblies, providing constant 360-degree situational awareness. Thanks to these and other advanced features, the SPY-6 radar family has already secured its place aboard seven classes of U.S. Navy ships, according to the manufacturer—including the Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyers, the most modern currently in service with the U.S. Navy. In this particular case, the systems correspond to the AN/SPY-6(V) variant.
It is also noteworthy that these modern radars are manufactured at Raytheon’s facilities in Massachusetts, covering an area of approximately 2,800 square meters and hosting the production of a wide range of systems for the United States and its allies. The company highlights that the site integrates a high degree of automation and vertical integration, making it one of the most advanced of its kind to date.
Beyond the radar itself, it is also important to note that the German Navy is reportedly considering expanding the number of F127 frigates in the future. This comes amid ongoing challenges affecting the F126 frigate program, which aimed to provide vessels specialized in anti-submarine warfare but has faced setbacks under Dutch shipbuilder Damen, which failed to deliver within agreed terms. In this context, Berlin is considering acquiring up to eight additional F127 frigates from local shipbuilder TKMS, although it remains to be seen how these ships would adapt to the previously intended anti-submarine role, given that the F127 design is optimized for air defense missions.
Images used for illustrative purposes only
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