{{Short description|German naval frigate}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox ship | sclass = |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = | image_caption = }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/class overview | name = F127 - MEKO A-400 AMD | builders = * TKMS *{{ill|NVL BV & Co. KG (NVL)|lt=NVL|de|NVL (Unternehmen)}} | operators = {{navy|Germany}} | class_before = {{sclass|Sachsen|frigate|4}} | class_after = | subclasses = | cost = | built_range = | in_service_range = Planned for around 2034<ref name="Navalnews F127 programme approved">{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/12/germany-formally-approves-type-f127-air-defense-frigate-program/ |title=Germany formally approves Type F127 air-defense frigate program |publisher=navalnews.com |date=20 December 2024}}</ref> | in_commission_range = | total_ships_planned = Initially: 5 planned with 1 option, as of September 2025: 8 planned<ref name="Hartpunkt September 2025">{{Cite web|url=https://www.hartpunkt.de/marine-mehr-fregatten-des-typs-f127-und-eine-anstehende-entscheidung-zur-f126/|title=Navy: More F127 frigates and an upcoming decision on the F126 |publisher=hartpunkt.de|access-date=23 September 2025}}</ref> | total_ships_building = | total_ships_completed = | total_ships_canceled = | total_ships_active = | total_ships_laid_up = | total_ships_lost = | total_ships_retired = | total_ships_preserved = }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = | class = | type = Frigate/destroyer | displacement = 12,000 tonnes<ref name="F127 takes shape(german)">{{Cite web|url=https://suv.report/f127-nimmt-gestalt-an/|title=F127 takes shape|publisher=Naval News|access-date=24 January 2026|language=de}}</ref> | length = {{convert|178|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="F127 takes shape(german)" /> | beam = {{convert|24|m|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="F127 takes shape(german)" /> | height = | draft = | draught = {{cvt|7.8|m|ftin}}<ref name="F127 takes shape(german)" /> | depth = | power = | propulsion = | speed = {{convert|32|kn|abbr=on}} | range = {{convert|4000|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} | endurance = 30 days | boats = | capacity = | complement = | sensors = *'''Combat systems''' **Lockheed Martin Canada CMS330 with the International Aegis Fire Control Loop<ref name="Hartpunkt December 2024">{{cite web |url=https://www.hartpunkt.de/f127-beschaffungsprozess-fuer-neue-luftverteidigungsfregatten-kann-starten/ |title=F127 – Procurement process for new air defense frigates can start |publisher=Hartpunkt |date=18 December 2024}}</ref> *'''Sonars:''' **To be selected *'''Radars:''' ** 4 × Raytheon AN/SPY-6 (V)1 <small>(3D AESA radars with GaN TRM modules)</small><ref name="Raytheon’s SPY-6">{{cite web |url=https://defence-industry.eu/germany-to-equip-f127-frigates-with-raytheons-spy-6v1-radar-under-u-s-foreign-military-sale/ |title=Germany to equip F127 frigates with Raytheon's SPY-6(V)1 radar under U.S. foreign military sale |publisher=defence-industry.eu |date=8 October 2025}}</ref> ** Potential 4 × X-band (IEEE) AESA radars modules<ref name="Hartpunkt December 2024" /><ref name="Navalnews F127 programme approved" /> *'''Electro-optical sensors:''' **To be selected *'''Communications:''' **To be selected *'''Navigation:''' **To be selected | EW = | armament = *'''Missiles:'''<ref name="Navalnews F127 programme approved" /> ** 96-cell Mk 41 VLS for air defence missiles (to be selected)<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 December 2025 |title=More firepower – F127 to receive 96 vertical launch cells |url=https://www.hartpunkt.de/mehr-feuerkraft-f127-soll-96-vertical-launch-zellen-erhalten/ |language=de}}</ref> *** SM-2 Block IIIC and SM-6 Block I<ref>https://www.dsca.mil/Press-Media/Major-Arms-Sales/Article-Display/Article/4332014/germany-standard-missile-6-block-i-and-standard-missile-2-block-iiic</ref> ** 2 × 21-cell Mk 49 GMLS launchers with RIM-116 missiles ** 2 × 4-cell Kongsberg NSM Block 1a cruise missiles (ASM / LAM) *'''Naval Guns:''' ** 1 × 5-inch/54-caliber Mark 45 gun ** 2 × MSI Seahawk 30mm RWS *'''Machine guns''' **To be selected | armour = | aircraft = *2 × NH90 Sea Tiger (ASW / ASuW) | aircraft_facilities = Aircraft hangar for 2 helicopters and UAV | notes = | ice_class = ICE 1C/E1 }} }} The '''Type F127 frigate''' is an ongoing procurement programme of the German Navy for the timely replacement of the previous three frigates of the Type F124 {{sclass|Sachsen|frigate|4}}.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web| title=19. Bericht des Bundesministeriums der Verteidigung zu Rüstungsangelegenheiten | language=de | trans-title=19th Report of the Federal Ministry of Defense on armaments matters | url=https://www.bmvg.de/resource/blob/5820310/c30ac0f6b6437838720d9d7e1298f6a8/19-ruestungsbericht-teil-1-data.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240724120213/https://www.bmvg.de/resource/blob/5820310/c30ac0f6b6437838720d9d7e1298f6a8/19-ruestungsbericht-teil-1-data.pdf | archive-date=2024-07-24}}</ref>
== History == Originally, a cooperation with the Royal Netherlands Navy was planned under the programme Future Air Defender, with a letter of intent for a common ship design, radars, command systems and deployment systems signed on 17 December 2020. The joint cooperation was later on cancelled as the requirement and timelines of both navies diverged.<ref name=":0" />
The programme, is now known under the working name of "Projekt Next Generation Frigate – Air Defence" (NGFrig-AD) was initiated by the BMVg in 2018 and is currently in the analysis phase 2 under the leadership of the BAAINBw (Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support). A selection decision by the Inspector General of the Bundeswehr is scheduled for the beginning of 2025.<ref name=":0" />
The plans currently call for six ships which are to arrive from 2033/34, which requires a construction contract and the procurement of the relevant operational systems by 2026 at the latest.<ref name=":0" />
On 2 September 2024, the Federal Cartel Office approved the formation of a joint venture between ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH (now TKMS<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Naval News |date=2025-06-05 |title=thyssenkrupp Marine Systems becomes TKMS – New brand, new claim and new colors |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/06/thyssenkrupp-marine-systems-becomes-tkms-new-brand-new-claim-and-new-colors/ |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}</ref>) and {{ill|NVL BV & Co. KG (NVL)|lt=NVL|de|NVL (Unternehmen)}}. The project company intends to jointly apply for the design and construction of 5 ships (+1 option) of the F127. The BAAINBw intends to award the contract in mid-2025.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Luck |first=Alex |date=10 November 2024 |title=TKMS Shows MEKO A-400 AMD Missile Frigate At Euronaval 2024 |url=https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/euronaval-2024/2024/11/tkms-shows-meko-a-400-amd-at-euronaval-2024/ |access-date=18 November 2024 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}</ref>
The ship design is expected to be the MEKO A-400AMD.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Neue Fregatten zur Luftverteidigung {{!}} thyssenkrupp Marine Systems |url=https://www.thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com/mekoa400amd/de/neue-fregatte |access-date=18 November 2024 |website=www.thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com |language=de}}</ref>
On December 18, 2025, it was reported that the capacity was to be expanded to 96 VLS cells. In this context, questions arose as to whether the classification of this class of ship as a frigate still applied, or whether it was already a destroyer design.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2026-01-17 |author=Lards Hoffmann |date=2025-12-18 |title=Mehr Feuerkraft – F127 soll 96 Vertical-Launch-Zellen erhalten |url=https://www.hartpunkt.de/mehr-feuerkraft-f127-soll-96-vertical-launch-zellen-erhalten/ |website=hartpunkt.de}}<!-- auto-translated from German by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
== Requirements == The main mission of the F127 will be to protect an operational group or area against threats from the air (Air-and-Missile-Defence (AMD)), including in the future against ballistic missiles and hypersonic glide vehicles. The ships of the F127 class are intended to be able to integrate into the effective network of ground and air-based air defence and also make a contribution to territorial missile defence for homeland security.<ref name=":0" />
In addition to their primary task of air defense, the frigates will also be capable of conducting surface and underwater naval warfare, long-range combat against land targets and operating in cyber and information space.<ref name=":0" />
== Ship design ==
=== Preliminary expectations === The design of the ship will be determined primarily by the weapon systems and missile launch systems and the extensive sensor technology. In terms of size and capabilities, the F127 will be comparable to the {{sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer|4}} (FLT III).{{Citation needed|date=January 2026}}
==== Dimensions ==== In terms of dimensions, it will likely reach over 12,000 tonnes.<ref name="F127 takes shape(german)" />
==== Systems ==== The combat system is known in the German Navy as the FüWES-M ''(Standardisierung maritimer Führungs- und Waffeneinsatzsysteme)''. The budget to develop the system was approved in November 2025. A total of €250 million is budgeted, with a first phase of €90 million expected. This contract is expected to extend until 2029. The budget includes licenses, the training, and the integration of additional sensors.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2025-11-05 |title=Marine: Grünes Licht für neues Standard-FüWES CMS 330 und neue RAM-Flugkörper |url=https://www.hartpunkt.de/marine-gruenes-licht-fuer-neues-standard-fuewes-cms-330-und-neue-ram-flugkoerper/ |access-date=2025-11-06 |language=de}}</ref>
The combat management system will be a Canadian variant of the Aegis system, which is an ITAR-Free system.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pya_koGw9oM |title=Lockheed Martin at DSEI UK: ASEV, F-110, F127, C-UAS and Patriot on ships |date=2025-09-23 |last=Naval News |access-date=2025-09-23 |via=YouTube}}</ref> The agreement between the German and the Canadian government was signed the 14 November 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-18 |title=FüWES: Deutschland & Kanada vereinbaren Standardisierung |url=https://defence-network.com/deutschland-kanada-standardisierung-fuewes/,%20https://defence-network.com/deutschland-kanada-standardisierung-fuewes/ |access-date=2025-11-20 |language=de}}</ref> The variant will be the Lockheed Martin Canada's CMS 330 tactical interface, a derivative of the system used on the Canadian River-class destroyers. Hensoldt, after the acquisition of ESG is expected to perform the integration.{{Citation needed|date=January 2026}}
Notes:
* Rheinmetall made an offer to counter the one made by Lockheed Martin Canada.<ref name=":3" /> * The system is expected to be installed on all surface ship of the German Navy (long-term project).
==== Sensors ==== For the radar, the RTX AN/SPY-6(V)1 was selected in October 2025. Each ship will be equipped with four planar arrays, providing a 360° situational awareness. Each of those arrays are made of 37 modules.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Germany selects Raytheon's SPY-6(V)1 for its F127 frigates |url=https://www.rtx.com/news/news-center/2025/10/08/germany-selects-raytheons-spy-6v1-for-its-f127-frigates |access-date=2025-10-09 |website=United Technologies |language=en}}</ref>
==== Weapons ==== {{Prose|section|date=December 2025}} Weapon launchers:
* VLS Mk.41 launch system with 96 cells (three groups of 32)<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-18 |title=Mehr Feuerkraft – F127 soll 96 Vertical-Launch-Zellen erhalten |url=https://www.hartpunkt.de/mehr-feuerkraft-f127-soll-96-vertical-launch-zellen-erhalten/ |access-date=2025-12-18 |language=de}}</ref>
Air-defence:<ref name=":1" />
* SM-2 * SM-6 (RIM-174) * 2 × RIM-116 RAM launchers with 21 missiles * Potential other air defence weapons: ** SM-3 (RIM-161) exo-atmospheric missiles ** RIM-162 ESSM (quad pack in VLS Mk41 cells) ** IRIS-T SLM (quad pack in VLS Mk41 cells)<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=12 April 2024 |title=Iris-T SLM soll in VLS für Marineschiffe integriert werden |url=https://www.hartpunkt.de/iris-t-slm-soll-in-vls-fuer-marineschiffe-integriert-werden/ |access-date=18 November 2024 |language=de}}</ref> ** Patriot PAC-3 MSE<ref name=":2" />
Anti-ship missiles:<ref name=":1" />
* 2 × 4 cells for Naval Strike Missiles<ref name=":1" /> * 3SM Tyrfing, an anti-ship and surface to surface supersonic missile launched from Mk.41 VLS)<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 June 2024 |title=Supersonic Strike Missile "Tyrfing" – BMVg investiert rund 650 Millionen Euro in Entwicklung eines neuen Seezielflugkörpers |url=https://www.hartpunkt.de/supersonic-strike-missile-tyrfing-bmvg-investiert-rund-650-millionen-euro-in-entwicklung-eines-neuen-seezielflugkoerpers/ |access-date=18 November 2024 |language=de}}</ref> * Potential other missiles: ** RGM-109E Tomahawk Block V LACM<ref name=":1" />
Cannons:<ref name=":1" />
* OTO 127/64 LW * 2 × Seahawk (by MSI - Defence Systems Ltd.), 30mm calibre.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 March 2024 |title=Deutsche Marine erhält neues Waffensystem |url=https://www.hartpunkt.de/deutsche-marine-erhaelt-neues-waffensystem/ |access-date=18 November 2024 |language=de}}</ref>
Lasers:
* Rheinmetall Air Defence AG with a 20 kW beam combiner-based fibre laser.
==== Aircraft ==== The hangar carries enough space for:<ref name=":1" />
* 2 × NH90 NFH Sea Tiger, which carries:<ref>{{Cite web |title=German Navy NH90 Sea Tiger performs maiden flight |url=https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2023-11-german-navy-nh90-sea-tiger-performs-maiden-flight#:~:text=The%20German%20Bundeswehr%20ordered%2031,board%20the%20NH90%20Sea%20Tiger. |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=www.airbus.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 December 2023 |title=Maiden Flight of German Navy NH90 Sea Tiger |url=https://www.joint-forces.com/features/69445-maiden-flight-of-german-navy-nh90-sea-tiger |access-date=22 March 2024 |website=Joint Forces News |language=en-GB}}</ref> ** MBDA MARTE MK2/S ** MU90 Impact anti-submarine torpedoes ** On option, NSM (Naval Strike Missile)
== Operators ==
=== Future operators ===
; {{flag|Germany}} : The initiation of the purchase of some equipment and design works for the ships was approved in December 2024. At least four, up to eight ships are expected.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 December 2024 |title=Marine erhält vier neue U-Boote der Klasse 212 CD |url=https://www.hartpunkt.de/marine-erhaelt-vier-neue-u-boote-der-klasse-212-cd/ |access-date=18 December 2024 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 December 2024 |title=F127 – Beschaffungsprozess für neue Luftverteidigungsfregatten kann starten |url=https://www.hartpunkt.de/f127-beschaffungsprozess-fuer-neue-luftverteidigungsfregatten-kann-starten/ |access-date=18 December 2024 |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-23 |title=Marine: Mehr Fregatten des Typs F127 und eine anstehende Entscheidung zur F126 |url=https://www.hartpunkt.de/marine-mehr-fregatten-des-typs-f127-und-eine-anstehende-entscheidung-zur-f126/ |access-date=2026-02-23 |language=de}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}} https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/mecklenburg-vorpommern/Flugabwehr-fuer-Ostsee-Beschaffung-der-Fregatte-F127-startet,fregatten130.html
{{Ship classes of the Deutsche Marine}}
Category:Frigate classes Category:Frigates of the German Navy Category:Proposed frigates