Lockheed Martin has received a contract to supply the MK 41 Vertical Launching System (VLS) for the German Navy’s F126 programme.
Awarded by Damen Naval, the contract will see Lockheed Martin manufacture and deliver two eight-cell strike length MK 41 VLS Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile Block 2 capable modules.
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The systems will be built for installation on each of the four new F126 vessels. The contract also includes related engineering services and ancillary hardware.
The MK 41 system is already in operation with the navies of Germany and the Netherlands.
Damen Naval managing director Hein van Ameijden said: “This contract is the next logic step for the game-changing project F126. Moreover, it is an excellent example for realizing financial, technical, and operative benefits through bi-national cooperation in Europe.
“Using Lockheed Martin’s MK 41-system on board of the new German frigates carries on a long and successful history of German and Royal Netherlands Navies operating this system for years.”
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By GlobalDataThe MK41 VLS along with the other systems and sensors will allow the new F126 frigates to conduct missions in challenging maritime settings.
Damen Naval is constructing the F126-class frigates in partnership with Blohm+Voss and Thales for the German Navy.
In 2020, Damen Naval emerged as the successful bidder following a European tender process that lasted for many years.
The ships will be built in Germany at shipyards in Kiel, Hamburg and Wolgast with the first frigate to be delivered in 2028.
In October last year, Damen Naval selected OSI Maritime Systems (OSI) to offer a complete navigation suite for the F126 programme.
