NVL and thyssenkrupp set up joint venture to build new frigates for German Navy

German companies thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and NVL have signed a cooperation agreement and established a joint venture to work on the construction of the future F127 frigates for the German Navy.

The agreement, signed at SMM 2024 maritime trade fair in Hamburg, will see the two companies jointly realize the construction of the MEKO A-400 AMD – a pioneering ship concept from thyssenkrupp Marine Systems that was specially developed to meet the requirements of a German Navy air defense frigate.

As the principal shareholder in the joint venture, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems will play a leading role in the development and production of the Type F127 with its MEKO A-400 design, while NVL will contribute its manufacturing capabilities and experience in the construction of naval vessels to the cooperation.

According to thyssenKrupp, the MEKO A-400 AMD design extends existing capability profiles with an improved energy supply for future weapon and command systems. In addition, the new type of hull offers more space for installing missiles and a higher cruising speed for multinational task forces.

This means that the new frigate type can be equipped with a combination of novel defense missiles to combat threats from the air and engage several targets simultaneously at previously unreachable distances using long-range missiles. At the same time, the frigate can also be used against sea and land targets as well as for submarine hunting. Equipping the ship with systems that meet NATO requirements will also ensure integration and cooperation in NATO’s transatlantic strategy with this ship design, the company explained.

The joint venture will be based in Hamburg and will act as the project company for the construction of the future F127 frigates, which is anticipated to begin as early as 2025. Currently, the ships are planned to be built by thyssenkrupp Marine Systems in Wismar and by NVL in Hamburg and Wolgast, among other sites.

The German Navy wants the first ship to be ready for deployment in 2034; the prerequisite for this goal is that orders are received promptly, thyssenkrup said.

Oliver Burkhard, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, commented: “We have already made considerable investments in the development of the MEKO A-400 technology and in the expansion of construction capacities at the Wismar site. Now it is up to the politicians to successfully drive forward the project for the successor to the F124 and provide it with the necessary funding. With the signing of this contract, we are setting an important milestone for the construction and operational readiness of a completely new type of frigate.

“The sole purpose of establishing this joint venture is to implement the future frigate program. This is all because commissioning the construction of the new F127 is urgently required in terms of security policy. The serious geopolitical situation demands the fastest possible realization and closing of a capability gap. The F127 must not be put on the back burner!”