Third German F125 frigate named
The third of four 125 class frigates being built by Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems for the German Navy has been named ‘Sachsen-Anhalt’ the company announced on 4 March. The frigate is expected to be delivered to the German defence procurement agency in early 2019.
The first frigate ‘Baden-Württemberg’ was named in December 2013, while the second ‘Nordrhein-Westfalen’ was named in April 2015. Sea trials of Baden-Württemberg are planned to commence in the spring, with delivery scheduled for mid-2017.
Hans Christoph Atzpodien, member, management board, Thyssenkrupp Industrial Solutions, and chairman, supervisory board, Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, said: ‘The F125 frigate class is a completely new type of ship. With numerous innovations and a multiple-crew strategy it is a further showcase for the leading engineering expertise of German naval shipbuilding.’
The contract for the F125 programme was awarded in 2007 to the ARGE F125 consortium, which comprises Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems as the lead company, Lürssen Werft building the pre-fitted bow sections, and Blohm+Voss Shipyards manufacturing the stern sections, joining the two sections and conducting further fittings.
The F125 frigates will replace Germany’s eight Bremen type 122 class frigates. They are designed for national and alliance defence, international crisis management, conflict prevention and intervention/stabilisation operations.
The ships are capable of remaining at sea for 24 months at a time, a capability supported by a smaller crew and a multiple-crew strategy which permits a complete change of crew during deployment.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy weighs “Super Intelligence” role in designing a quieter SSN(X) attack submarine]()
US Navy weighs “Super Intelligence” role in designing a quieter SSN(X) attack submarine
NAVSEA is exploring AI-assisted design for a larger, stealthier submarine with increased weapons capacity and uncrewed-system integration, with lead-boat procurement envisaged from 2040.
-
![ST Engineering makes Euronaval debut with MRV European export campaign]()
ST Engineering makes Euronaval debut with MRV European export campaign
A six-ship home order, agreements with Saab, Naval Group and Babcock and spare yard capacity underpin the group’s first Euronaval bid for smaller European navies.
-
![Navies need cheaper ways to defeat drones, but can they sustain merchant protection?]()
Navies need cheaper ways to defeat drones, but can they sustain merchant protection?
New interceptors and launchers could help navies preserve missile stocks during prolonged escort operations. Yet lower engagement costs will only improve merchant protection if the weapons are available where ships need defending.
-
![Euronaval 2026: Red Cat’s Blue Ops follows USV demand from Asia to the Andes]()
Euronaval 2026: Red Cat’s Blue Ops follows USV demand from Asia to the Andes
With its B-26 USV in full-rate production, Blue Ops is seeking to turn overseas interest into orders through a combination of lower operating costs, UAV integration and local manufacturing.
-
![Euronaval 2026: ‘I want to sell 31 Type 31s by 2031’ - CGO maps Babcock’s global push]()
Euronaval 2026: ‘I want to sell 31 Type 31s by 2031’ - CGO maps Babcock’s global push
Chief growth officer Sir Nick Hine tells Shephard how Babcock is lining up New Zealand, Chile, Denmark and the US for its Arrowhead 140 frigate, speaks on the hybrid navy offer and talks AUKUS.
