Germany has scrapped its flagship F126 frigate programme after mounting delays and expectations of major cost overruns and will instead pursue eight smaller Meko A-200 frigates from Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).
The original plan, launched in 2020, was to build six F126-class multi-purpose frigates. But the project has been “mired in trouble for a while,” with the ministry citing significant delays.
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In a statement, the ministry said it would terminate the programme, warning that proceeding would have pushed the cost of six ships to more than €18bn ($20bn), up from an initial estimate of about €10bn.
“The Defense Ministry has decided not to proceed with the construction of a total of six F126-class frigates,” the ministry said.
The F126 contract was initially awarded to Dutch shipbuilder Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS). Damen began work with the cutting of the first steel in December 2023 but has not completed construction on any F126 frigate.
Meanwhile, Germany had been weighing whether to shift the contract to Naval Vessels Lürssen (NVL), a German shipbuilding partner in the F126 project that was acquired by Rheinmetall in March.
Rheinmetall reportedly wanted NVL to take over the frigate contract from DSNS, but that option was rejected amid concerns it could trigger additional costs. Rheinmetall declined to comment.
Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said Germany has spent around €2.3bn on the F126 project since the 2020 order. He added that the government was examining potential damage claims against Damen, though he saw little chance of success.
The ministry will now pursue eight Meko A-200 frigates, “primarily for anti-submarine warfare,” at an expected total of €11.6bn.
A detailed structure of about €6.3bn for the first four ships was provided on 24 June 2026, and €5.3bn for an option on four more, if exercised by end-2026.
Germany already announced plans to purchase four MEKO A-200 frigates as an interim solution in March this year after the delay in the F126 frigate programme.
TKMS said it began preparatory work in February, aims to deliver the first frigate in 2029, and sees scope to involve other German shipyards if the option for four more ships is used.
