Germany starts construction of seventh K130 corvette FGS Emden

Construction works on the second ship of the second batch of German Navy K130 corvettes kicked off with a steel-cutting ceremony at Luerssen’s Bremen shipyard on October 28.

In addition to being the second ship of the new batch, the future FGS Emden will be the seventh K130 (Braunschweig-class) corvette.

The first five units were commissioned between 2008 and 2013 while a contract for the second batch of five units was awarded in September 2017 to a consortium composed of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, German Naval Yards Kiel and Lürssen Werft, who serves as prime contractor.

Another consortium, named FüWES K130 will deliver improved combat systems, and set up and deliver a test and training center in Wilhelmshaven.

A decision on the acquisition of additional ships in the class was made because of the German Navy’s increased scope and tempo of operations. Another reason was the delay in the MKS 180 multi-purpose warship project.

The 90-meter ships are designed for operation in coastal waters, augmenting the capabilities of fast attack boats and frigates. They are equipped with two 27 mm Mauser MLG27 remote-controlled, fully-automatic cannons, and one OTO Melara 76 mm gun.

The corvettes also feature a helicopter landing deck and use the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) – guided naval missile for close-in defense against anti-ship missiles, aircraft, helicopters and surface threats.