The government of the United States has authorized the potential sale of a major batch of SM-6 surface-to-air missiles intended to equip the future F127 frigates of the German Navy. This approval is reflected in one of the most recent authorizations issued by the U.S. Department of State and its notification to Congress to clear the operation through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, valued at US$3.5 billion.
Led by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS)—one of Europe’s and the world’s major naval shipbuilders—and NVL, the F127 frigate program is among the most important projects undertaken by the German Navy (Deutsche Marine). It is intended to replace the current Sachsen-class, or F124-class, in service since late 2023.
Although the program originally envisioned the construction of six ships, various parliamentary and governmental sectors in Germany have been weighing the possibility of expanding the requirement, with discussions about ordering up to eight additional frigates. This is largely due to problems affecting the other major German shipbuilding program, the F126 frigates, intended to replace the Brandenburg-class F123 frigates.
Based on the MEKO A-400AMD design, the future vessels of the class will displace around 10,000 tons and integrate significant anti-air capabilities to protect task groups against various threats such as missiles, manned aircraft, and unmanned systems. These capabilities will center on multiple radar, combat management, and weapons systems built around the AEGIS combat management system and the new SPY-6(V)1 radars—the same family that equips several of the U.S. Navy’s primary surface combatants, including the Arleigh Burke destroyers and the Gerald R. Ford–class aircraft carriers.
These systems will be complemented by the SM-6 family of surface-to-air missiles, for which the German government has requested a substantial purchase from its U.S. counterpart to equip the frigates.
According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) report dated November 14, Germany has requested the purchase of a total of one hundred seventy-three (173) SM-6 Block I missiles and five hundred seventy-seven (577) SM-6 Block IIIC missiles, also including their associated MK 21 and MK 13 vertical launch system (VLS) components.
The value of the operation, with RTX Corporation as the main contractor, amounts to US$3.5 billion and includes, in addition to the missiles and launch systems, integration services, support, training, and associated equipment.
The U.S. Department of State indicated: “The proposed sale will enhance Germany’s ability to meet current and future threats by providing integrated air and missile defense capabilities that can be deployed from its future F127-class surface combatants equipped with the Aegis Weapon System, thereby strengthening Germany’s ability to provide credible deterrence against regional strategic competitors.”
Also designated RIM-174, the SM-6 is a family of extended-range surface-to-air missiles deployed from frigates and destroyers, and more recently from land-based launchers such as the U.S. Army’s Typhon system, as well as from combat aircraft. It is the only missile capable of “conducting anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, and ballistic missile defense or sea-based terminal missions,” as Raytheon highlights in its promotional materials.
Lastly, it is worth noting that, should Germany proceed with the acquisition, it would join a select group of countries deploying these capabilities at sea, including the United States Navy, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and the Royal Australian Navy, with future adoption projected for the Republic of Korea Navy.
Images used for illustration purposes.
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