Berlin will instead purchase eight smaller anti-submarine MEKO A-200 frigates
A long-term project to develop six new frigates for the German navy was on Wednesday cancelled by the defence ministry.
The ministry listed significant delays, foreseeable cost increases and the risks associated with a change in the main contractor as the main reasons to end the project.
The decision is a huge blow for Rheinmetall’s recent push into the naval defence segment, which aimed to take over the struggling frigate project F126 from the Dutch Damen Naval shipyard. However, instead of the original €10 billion price tag, Rheinmetall offered to build them for about €15.2 billion, according to the ministry. With additional commitments, the cost was set to balloon to €18 billion.
Instead, Berlin aims to purchase eight smaller anti-submarine MEKO A-200 frigates. Built by Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, the first four vessels could be purchased for €6.3 billion, with the option to buy another four for €5.3 billion. First deliveries are scheduled for 2029.
