The German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has awarded Atlas Elektronik a €44 million (£37 million) contract to upgrade the German Navy’s Frankenthal-class minehunters.
Under the plans, Atlas Elektronik will equip five vessels, Dillingen, Homburg, Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Fulda and Weilhelm, with the latest IMCMS.
BAAINBw’s project manager for the upgrade said the retrofitting the five ships with the latest generation of IMCMS was the next step towards standardising the technology used for combating sea mines.
IMCMS is a multi-role mine countermeasure system that covers minesweeping, mine hunting and minelaying. The system also supports hydrographic and environmental assessments, as well as surface and aerial surveillance.
In December 2016, Atlas Elektronik received a contract to modernise three Frankenthal-class ships worth €78.5 million. Under that contract, the vessels were equipped with the IMCMS and SeaFox mine disposal vehicle.
Frankenthal Class (Type 332)