[Foreign Policy] Failed rearmament - Failed armament projects of the German Armed Forces: Frigate 126

Siehe auch:
[Außenpolitik] Gescheiterte Aufrüstung - Scheiternde Rüstungsvorhaben der Bundeswehr: Fregatte 126

Since the announcement of the so-called "turning point (Zeitenwende)" in German defense policy the Bundeswehr has been making headlines regarding its rearmament. Defense spending is being repeatedly increased and personnel as well as equipment targets are constantly growing.
And certainly the Bundeswehr or rather its procurement system is capable of scaling up. Existing equipment can be procured again or in larger quantities in the future as long as it is still available.
However a closer look reveals that new meaning not yet procured equipment is causing significant problems. Interestingly considerable problems are arising with both commercially available products and custom made solutions. In light of the rising defense spending this deserves particular attention.

The procurement project for the Lower-Saxony-Class (Niedersachsen-Klasse) (F126/Frigate 126) with its focus on anti-submarine warfare is in danger of failing. The F126 is the German Navy's newest frigate project. In 2020 the Dutch company Damen in partnership with the German shipyard Blohm + Voss was awarded the contract for the development and construction of four F126 frigates for 5.5 billion Euro with an option for two more for a total of 9.8 billion Euro. These frigates were scheduled to enter service starting in 2028 and replace the four oldest frigates of the Brandenburg class (F123/Frigate 123). The Brandenburg-class frigates (F123/Frigate 123) were commissioned between 1994 and 1996. [1] [2]

In 2025 however it was announced that the 2028 commissioning date could not be met. A delay until 2030 or even 2032 was anticipated due to complications. Specifically technical problems between Damen and the German subcontractors regarding the exchange of design drawings were cited as the cause. Three years before the first F126 was scheduled to enter service a delay of two to four years was made public and at this point in time 1.829 billion Euro had already been paid for the F126 project. [1] [2]

Furthermore Damen is experiencing financial difficulties and therefore received 270 million Euro from the Dutch state in 2025. In addition Dutch authorities are investigating Damen for violating sanctions against Russia and arrested two people in 2025 as a result. The combination of circumventing sanctions against Russia while simultaneously arming against Russia could hardly be more schizophrenic. [3] [4]

As a result of the problems with the F126 project alternative strategies have already begun. There are two parallel developments. On the one hand the previously planned four to six frigates are to be replaced by eight frigates of a different design. Now frigates of the MEKO (Mehrzweck-Kombination/Multi-Purpose-Combination) type are to be procured from the NVL Group (Naval Vessels Lürssen) which is now part of Rheinmetall. However this has not yet been confirmed. Secondly potential expenditures of 7.8 billion Euro have been approved for the 2026 budget under the heading "Procurement of Frigate 126 - Alternative Platform". The 1.829 billion Euro already paid would then be lost. Whether this option will ultimately be adopted remains to be seen. [5] [6] [7]

[Foreign Policy] Failed rearmament - Failed armament projects of the German Armed Forces: G95 assault rifle
[Foreign Policy] Failed rearmament - Failed armament projects of the German Armed Forces: Frigate 126
[Foreign Policy] Failed rearmament - Failed armament projects of the German Armed Forces: 6th generation Fighter Aircraft 2026-01-25

Src:
[1] Verzögerungen - Marine droht Fregatten-Desaster 2025-05-25
https://www.t-online.de/nachrichten/deutschland/militaer-verteidigung/id_100738702/marine-neue-fregatten-werden-wohl-erst-spaeter-ausgeliefert.html
[2] Fregatte F126 – Möglicher Abbruch – Optionen und Folgen 2025-07-18
https://esut.de/2025/07/meldungen/61621/fregatte-f126-moeglicher-abbruch-optionen-und-folgen/
[3] Dutch bail out Damen Naval with €270m bridging loan: media 2025-07-09
https://defence-network.com/ausstieg-f126-deutsche-marine-8-meko-fregatten/
[4] Dutch Authorities Arrest 2 At Damen Shipyards For Alleged Sanctions Violations Against Russia 2025-12-06
https://www.marineinsight.com/shipping-news/dutch-authorities-arrest-2-at-damen-shipyards-for-alleged-sanctions-violations-against-russia/
[5] Ausstieg aus der F126 – Deutsche Marine plant 8 MEKO-Fregatten 2025-09-23
https://www.dutchnews.nl/2025/07/dutch-bail-out-damen-naval-with-e270m-bridging-loan-media/
[6] Schon Milliarden investiert - Deutschlands modernstem Kriegsschiff droht das Aus, dabei ist es noch nicht gebaut 2025-10-05
https://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/f126-ist-noch-nicht-fertig-deutschlands-modernstem-kriegsschiff-droht-das-aus_94a44c0c-1ec6-4a81-8439-a0db4a029d0e.html
[7] Es geht um Rheinmetall - Bei 10-Milliarden-Euro-Deal wegen Kriegsschiffen baut sich Pistorius einen Notausgang 2025-11-14
https://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/bei-10-milliarden-euro-deal-wegen-kriegsschiffen-baut-sich-pistorius-einen-notausgang_7c2671e7-9cd7-4a67-9e56-b6afd711e224.html