German Navy gets funding for new vessels

The German federal parliament (Bundestag) has allocated billions of euros for the fleet modernization of the German Navy.

As informed, the Bundestag released the funds amounting to about EUR 19 billion for a total of 27 proposals.

The contracts cover a broad spectrum from the land, air, sea and cyber areas.

Specifically, two new 212 CD class submarines are planned under the German-Norwegian armaments cooperation. The contracts will also include new supply ships and fleet service boats.

New fleet service boats

The parliament will be procuring three fleet service ships belonging to the new class 424 as well as a reconnaissance training and reference system.

On 23 June 2021, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) signed a contract with Lürssen Werft for the design and construction of the three boats.

The first of the three boats is planned to be put into service in 2027, replacing the Oker, Alster and Oste class 423 fleet service boats that have been in use for over 30 years.

Class 707 supply ships

The navy will also receive two new supply ships belonging to the new class 707.

They will replace replenishment oilers belonging to class 704 — Rhön and Spessart.

The approved project includes the design and construction of the new class 707. In addition, services for the preparation of supply readiness include, among other things, the initial requirement for replacement parts, special tools and training.

Germany has reported to NATO that two ships will be ready to supply fuel to allied navies throughout the year 2040.

Type 212 CD submarines

A total of six submarines of type 212 CD will be designed and built for the German and Norwegian navies.

They are based on the existing class 212 A submarines.

The submarines are being procured together with Norway and are also a symbol of the German-Norwegian cooperation. Two units will be delivered to Germany and the remaining four to Norway.

Operations on the northern flank of NATO and the preservation of materials are to be carried out jointly in the future. A new dimension of cooperation is achieved on the basis of identical boats.

Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Block 1A

The long-range marine missile system is to be used by the frigates of classes 124, 125 and 126 in the future. 

It replaces the Harpoon guided missile system, which has reached the end of its life, and can also be used in a secondary role against land targets.

Within the German-Norwegian naval armaments cooperation, procurement is carried out by Norway as the lead nation. In a further move, a German-Norwegian joint development of a new marine missile system, Future Naval Strike Missile, is planned. 

This development project takes place in an independent project and offers the opportunity to achieve urgently needed skills with the participation of the German industry.