The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has signed a contract with Atlas Elektronik and Thales Deutschland to jointly upgrade the combat system installed onboard the German Navy’s Sachsen-class F124 frigates.
As part of the contract, hardware refurbishment and software adaptation and update of the combat direction system (CDS) will be carried out by a consortium formed by the two parties, HW Regeneration CDS F124.
Replacing the outdated console processors, data recording modules, and various network modules on the frigates with latest generation components will also be performed under the contract.
In addition, the team will ensure that the modified computer systems will provide significant capabilities for integration of the new sub-systems and future CDS functionalities.
Atlas Elektronik managing director Volker Paltzo Thales Deutschland CEO Peter Obermark said in a joint statement that the combat system modernisation would help the vessels remain better prepared for future challenges.
The 143m-long Sachsen-class F124 frigates are armed with Oto Melara 76mm gun, two Rheinmetall 20mm guns, and triple Mk32 torpedo launchers for EurotorpMU90 lightweight torpedoes.
Powered by a combined diesel and gas propulsion system (CODAG), the ship with an operating range of 4,000nm features electronic countermeasures suite and can cruise at a maximum speed of 29k.
Additional features of the ships include two 9600-M I/J-band multi-function ARPA radars, SMART-L long-range air and surface surveillance and target indication radar, as well as APAR active phased array radar.
Work under the contract will be carried out at the test and training centre (EZ/AZ) in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, and the Reference Maintainer and Training Site (RMTS) in Den Helder, Netherlands.
Image: German Navy’s second Sachsen-class F124 frigate. Photo: courtesy of Deutsche Marine/Thales Group.
