German Navy commissions second F125 frigate

Today, the German Navy commissioned Nordrhein-Westfalen (F223), the second of four F125 Baden-Württemberg-class frigates.

To be homeported in Wilhelmshaven, the newbuild will be part of the frigate squadron 4, part of the second brigade-level unit (Einsatzflottille 2) of the German Navy.

“We are delighted that the second unit of the F125 class has entered service,” Ralf Kuchler, Flotilla Admiral, commented.

“It is a significant milestone towards full operational capability because we now have two platforms that give us the possibility to conduct operational training on our own responsibility, making the weapon system fully available to the navy.”

Stefan Schulz, Frigate Captain, added that, following an intensive and successful test phase, the commissioning of the vessel is another milestone in the modernization of the German Navy.

In early March 2020, the country’s defense procurement agency BAAINBw took delivery of the second F125 frigate built by the navy under the leadership of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. The newbuild was handed over to the agency by the ARGE F125 consortium at the naval base in Wilhelmshaven.

Last year, the navy commissioned FGS Baden- Württemberg, the lead ship of the F125 class. The third unit, Sachsen-Anhalt, is slated for delivery this year and the fourth ship, Rheinland-Pfalz, in 2021.

With a displacement of 7,200 tons, the frigates of this class have a length of 149 meters and a beam of 18 meters.

The frigates are armed with Harpoon and RAM missiles, a 127 mm Oto Melara gun which is capable of firing the Vulcano guided ammunition for land attacks, two 27 mm and five 12.7 mm guns. They will have a core crew of 120, with an additional 70 personnel for specific missions.

The frigates will run on the so-called combined diesel-electric and gas (CODLAG) propulsion system. The system essentially consists of electric motors that will draw power from diesel generators. The new ships will carry four deployable boats and have two container spots on the middle deck.