Construction of the German Navy’s first 125-class (F125) frigate has progressed with the laying-down of the first hull section at the Blohm + Voss shipyard, Hamburg, Germany.

The laying-down follows a three-year design and management phase, plus a six-month production period on the first hull section.

ARGE F125, a joint venture of ThyssenKrupp Marine System and Friedrich Lürssen Werft, was awarded a contract for production of four F125 frigates in June 2007.

The 149m-long vessel has a displacement capacity of 7,000t and can cruise at speeds of 26kt with accommodation for a crew of 190.

The F125 vessel has been designed for national and allied defence, peacekeeping initiatives, humanitarian rescue missions, and to combat terrorism and defend against asymmetric threats.

Delivery of the first vessel is planned for 2016, with the last vessel scheduled for delivery in 2018.