Germany's first Type 125 frigate begins sea trials

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Germany's first Type 125 frigate begins sea trials

The German Navy's first Type 125 frigate, the future FGS Baden-Württemberg, has begun sea trials. Source: ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems



The German Navy's first Type 125 frigate, the future FGS Baden-Württemberg , commenced builders' sea trials on 6 April. The commencement of these trials represents a major milestone in the project.

The design and operational concepts for the ships mark a departure from preceding classes in the navy. In design terms, the ships feature a combined diesel-electric and gas turbine propulsion system (CODLAG). In operational terms, the ships are intended primarily to support stabilisation operations and to deploy at sea for up to two years at a time while using regular crew rotations.

The project, in its current form, got under way in 2004. A construction contract was awarded to a consortium - known as ARGE F125, and comprising ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, Lürssen, and PeeneWerft (now part of Lürssen) - in June 2007. Ship deliveries originally were intended to take place between late 2014 and 2017. In the 2008 Bundeswehrplan, the overall level of investment in the programme was put at about EUR2.69 billion (USD3.08 billion).

Baden-Württemberg was christened in December 2013 and was floated for the first time in March 2014.

The builders' sea trials will take place in the North and Baltic sea areas and will test the new propulsion and platform systems. Delivery is now expected is mid-2017.

Second ship Nordrhein-Westfalen was launched in 2015, and is expected to be delivered in 2018. Delivery of ship three, Sachsen-Anhalt , is scheduled for early 2019, with fourth-in-class Rheinland-Pfalz following in early 2020.


Germany's first Type 125 frigate begins sea trials | IHS Jane's 360

 

[Jaeger]

yup bro they will replace the Bremen class. and I also heard they are the largest frigate ever to be built.

 

[vash]

Any specifications? Or do I have to Google it up myself?

Come on, OP. I'd expect to see some detailed specifications such as displacement tonnage, maximal speed, weapon systems aboard, etc.

By the way, how long will it take for the sea trial (usually)? Sometimes I keep tracking on some naval ships' development, and their status seem to be in "sea trial" for many months or even more than half a year before finally become "commissioned". I originally thought the sea trial part would be only a few days or weeks at most.

 

[Jaeger]

@vash here are the specifications
speed: 20 knots ( 37 km/h) on diesel only, 26 knots (48 km/h)
Displacement: 7,200 Tonnes
Weapons: 1 Otobreda 127/64 naval gun, 2 MLG-27 remote controlled autocannons, 5 12.7mm Hitrole NT remote controlled machine gun turrets, 2 12.7mm Manually controlled HMGs, 2 RIM-116 SAMs with 21 Cells each , 8 Harpoon Anti-ship missiles ( until the RBS-15MK4 comes available).
Aircraft carried: 2 NH90s
Sensors and Processing sensors: 1 Cassidian TRS-4D ASEA Radar, diver and swimmer detection sonar ( no U-boat sonar)
Electronic warfare and decoys: MASS Decoy system
The First F125 Vessel, FGS Baden-Württemberg will enter service late this year in around November-December

 

[vash]

@ Bundeswehr,

Thanks.

Pretty good specifications as a frigate.

The tonnage is approaching some destroyers (from India and China I think), but there is no VLS mentioned. I am unfamiliar with modern German navy. What is the purpose of this frigate? Is there some kind of high value capital ship needing the protection from frigates? Or it is just for some low intensity missions?

 

[Jaeger]

low intensity missions. but our navy is growing, we have a naval program called "Naval 2025" which plans to acquire 4-6 Multi-mission vessels, 2 Multi-role ships, 2-3 JSS, CH-148s, NH90s etc. plus we are starting to get more involved in coastal missions.

 

[vash]

low intensity missions. but our navy is growing, we have a naval program called "Naval 2025" which plans to acquire 4-6 Multi-mission vessels, 2 Multi-role ships, 2-3 JSS, CH-148s, NH90s etc. plus we are starting to get more involved in coastal missions.

Thanks for the reply.

In my personal opinion, German military is too small and spend too little. Get a fleet of destroyers to escort at least one capital ship would be reasonable for a traditional power like Germany. You have to fund and the technology for it.