Germany Cancels Purchase of Six F126 Frigates

Germany’s Ministry of Defense has decided not to proceed with the procurement of six F126 frigates and instead plans to order eight new anti-submarine warfare vessels.

The ministry announced the decision on its website.

It said the move was prompted by major delays in the F126 program, rising costs, and increased risks associated with a change in the project’s main contractor.

Instead of the six F126-class frigates originally planned, Germany will now procure eight MEKO A-200 DEU frigates, subject to approval by the Bundestag’s Budget Committee. The vessels will be built by Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).

The six F126 frigates were initially estimated to cost around €10 billion. However, after the Dutch prime contractor, Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS), failed to meet deadlines and stay within budget, Germany’s Ministry of Defense considered replacing the contractor. That move, however, would have pushed the total cost of the program to more than €18 billion.

The Ministry also stated that transferring the contract would have required the federal government to forgo any future compensation claims against DSNS. The Ministry of Defense considered such a move unacceptable and fiscally irresponsible.

Last year, lawmakers from the CDU (Christian Democratic Union) called for the F126 frigate program to be scrapped altogether, citing persistent delays, inadequate coordination among contractors, and steadily rising costs.

Subject to approval by the Bundestag’s Budget Committee, the procurement of the first four MEKO A-200 DEU frigates is expected to cost approximately €6.3 billion. An option for four additional vessels can be exercised by the end of 2026 at an estimated cost of €5.3 billion.

Through this shift in procurement strategy, the German government aims to meet its NATO commitments on anti-submarine warfare capabilities as quickly as possible.

Adopting a standardized frigate design is also expected to deliver substantial advantages in fleet operations, maintenance, logistics, and crew training.

The Ministry of Defense said it plans to submit a procurement proposal for eight MEKO A-200 DEU frigates to the Bundestag’s Budget Committee for approval at the earliest opportunity.

Construction of the Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony), lead F126 frigate, started on December 5, 2023, and its keel was laid on June 3, 2024. Under the original program timeline, the ship was scheduled to enter service with the German Navy in 2028.