Through the release of an official statement yesterday, German shipbuilder TKMS announced that Germany has initiated the purchase of new MEKO A-200 frigates amid the possible cancellation of the F126 program, via the signing of a preliminary agreement by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw). According to the statement, this would enable the Deutsche Marine to receive the first ship by the end of 2029, with preliminary work set to begin during the current month.
Expanding on the details, the preliminary agreement reached between TKMS and the German government would cover the first stages of the construction process for the new MEKO A-200s, including hiring personnel and initial works. While no formal procurement contract has yet been finalized, Berlin has committed €50 million to the project through the end of March, with the possibility of extending the agreement in phases as events unfold. In the words of TKMS Executive Vice President for Surface Vessels, Dr. Oliver Juckenhöfel: “The preliminary agreement lays the foundations for the project to start immediately. In particular, it allows us to procure materials and begin steel construction at the shipyard without delay.”
On the other hand, it is worth noting that—according to reports from local specialist outlets—Germany would be interested in adding a fleet of around eight new frigates built by TKMS, instead of the six originally ordered from Dutch shipbuilder Damen under the F126 program. Should Berlin choose to continue with that project, analysts are also speculating about a complementary purchase of MEKO A-200s as an interim solution to address the various delays already becoming apparent, although it remains unclear how many ships would be acquired or under what delivery schedules.
For now, and reviewing some of the platform’s technical characteristics, the MEKO A-200 frigates feature a length of around 121 meters and a beam of 16.4 meters, dimensions that accommodate the model’s 3,950-ton displacement. In terms of propulsion, each ship would be fitted with a CODAG-WARP system capable of reaching top speeds of around 29 knots and offering a range of roughly 6,500 nautical miles. To operate them, each vessel would require a crew of about 125 personnel (with space for an additional 49 if necessary), and they would also be characterized by having a hangar capable of housing up to two drones or helicopters of up to 6 tons.
In addition, it is known that in terms of armament, each ship—under the standard configuration offered to the Royal Australian Navy—would feature a flexible array of options, including: a 76 mm main gun, up to 16 anti-ship missiles, Mk.41 VLS cells capable of accommodating up to 64 ESSM Block 2 missiles, and short-range air-defense systems. To these capabilities, the possibility of deploying up to two rigid inflatable boats of up to 8 meters in length should be added, facilitating the work of commando teams in interception and vessel-seizure operations.
Finally, it is useful to note that if Berlin decides to cancel the F126 program with Damen, the Dutch company would be required to compensate Germany either by refunding the funds invested or by delivering already-manufactured equipment that could be integrated into the MEKO A-200 design. While there are various doubts regarding the technical feasibility of the latter, analysts have suggested that elements such as the ships’ radar could potentially be reused on the new frigate, although there is still no official confirmation on this point.
Images used for illustrative purposes
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