@BravoZulu
The contract is to comprise four firm orders and two options. The way I understand it, it's pretty much up to Damen how many they'll get to build in the end. If the project's completed on-time and on-budget, the remaining two options will be converted into orders.
Word is the F 126 class will be a multi-role frigate with replaceable mission modules. The "baseline" ship itself is said to carry 1× 127 mm main gun, a vertical launching system with 32× ESSM quad-packs, 2× RAM Block 2 starters, 8× Kongsberg NSM anti-ship missile launchers, 1× Rheinmetall HEL 50kW directed energy weapon, and a mix of 27 mm auto cannons and machine guns. Her two Sea Tiger helicopters will field torpedoes and additional anti-ship missiles.
Only three mission modules have been mentioned in official statements so far, and no more than artist's impressions exist of the other two:
- anti-submarine warfare (the ship's "standard" module) with a towed array sonar and a mix of ASW weapons
- mine warfare, with the capacity to both lay as well as detect and clear mines; apparently, this module will also serve the needs of embarked special forces teams
- a prisoner holding block
- an expansion of the ship's vertical launching system by what looks like 32 cells
- a SIGINT module
As for the F 125; the article linked earlier seems to suggest the German Navy wants to use them mostly for peacekeeping efforts, so that its fleet of surface combattants may not spend itself on the far side of the world to combat piracy or something of the sort. This seems like a good idea, actually. Under the current schedule, the existing vessels' projected lifespan has noticeably shrunk already.
The German Navy's intended order of battle as of 2032 is to comprise:
- 6× U 212A class submarines
- 2× U 212A+ class submarines
- 10× K 130 class coastal warfare/ cyberwarfare corvettes
- 4× F 125 class asymmetric warfare frigates
- 6× F 126 class multi-purpose frigates (emphasis on anti-submarine warfare)
- 6× F 127 class multi-purpose frigates (emphasis on aerial defence)
The
F 127 concept was unveiled only a few weeks ago. They are to replace the current F124 class air defence frigates. Current planning suggests the vessel will have a length of about 155 m, a displacement of some 9 000 tons and carry a 72-cell VLS as her main armament. Other effectors are to include 1× 127mm main gun, 2× RAM Block 2 starters, 2× Rheinmetall HEL 20kW directed energy weapons, and a mix of 27 mm auto cannons and machine guns.
Like her sister class, the F 127 will be able to deploy mission modules and carry two Sea Tigers with additional ASW and ASuW weaponry. Little else is known about the ship's intended capabilities other than that Berlin has promised to both NATO and the EU that this class of frigates will be able to provide exoatmospheric protection from missile threats.
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