The German Navy is undergoing a transformation. Ambitious plans for the creation of the future fleet were outlined in the document "Navy Course 2025" (Navy Course 2025), published in May 2025. These changes are evident in the Navy's frigate fleet.
The Brandenburg-class frigates (F123) have already been upgraded, and the modernization of the Saxony-class frigates (F124) is planned. The latter participated in the fighting in the Red Sea in 2024. Baden-Württemberg-class frigates (F 125) began their first operational deployment in 2023. Plans for their modernization to enhance combat capabilities are under development.
Construction of frigates of the Lower Saxony type (F 126) has begun, and the German Bundestag has approved the acquisition of frigates of the F 127 project. Ahead of the official contract for the construction of these frigates and after the publication of the document "Navy Course 2025", it makes sense to pay attention to the German frigate fleet.
Brandenburg-class frigates (F 123)
Four F 123 type frigates are the oldest ships of this class in the Bundeswehr Navy. This project is entering its third decade of service, and during its existence, ships of this type have undergone consistent modernization. In 2021, Saab signed a contract for further modernization, which was to include the installation of the Sea Grifo system, a pan-European solution, the CEROS 200 fire control radar and the 9LV combat control system. Aiken & Rasmussen is also carrying out additional work in Germany on the initial modernization tasks initiated by Schleuniger-Holten. & Meckenshlagern.
Brandenburg type frigate, project F 123
The ships of the project regularly participate in the operational activities of the fleet. In particular, Bavaria recently participated in the Baltic Operations 2025 exercises. The lead ship of the Brandenburg project experienced the changed operational situation in the Eastern Mediterranean while carrying out the tasks of the Maritime Task Force of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). During the deployment of UNIFIL in 2024, the ship became part of an early warning system and transmitted information about air activity to troops ashore.
The Saxony Project (F124)
Similar to the F 123 type in the field of air defense, the Saxony -class ships also faced a new operational challenge in 2024. So, as part of Operation Aspids, from February to April of the same year in the Red Sea, the frigate Hessen used RIM-116 anti-aircraft guided missiles (SAM), a 76-mm cannon and a Sea Lynx helicopter on board to destroy two UAVs, an unmanned boat (BEC) and an anti-ship missile (anti-ship missile). The campaign was not without problems, and in one case, a malfunction with the radar led to the fact that two Standard Missile (SM)-2MR Block IIA missiles could not hit the target. However, it turned out that the target was an American MQ-9 Reaper UAV, and no damage was caused.
Frigate type "Saxony", project F 124
As with the F 123, there are modernization plans for this type. In 2021, the Hensoldt/Israel Aerospace Industries team received a contract to develop a new missile defense system and a long-range radar for this type of ship.
According to information from the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Maintenance of the Bundeswehr (BAINBW), modernization programs for four Type F123 and three Type F124 frigates will be completed by the end of this decade.
The BAINBW representative also confirmed that there are plans to integrate the laser weapon system into the Berlin-type supply transport (Project 702) Bonn (tail number A 1413). This decision followed successful naval tests of the MBDA and Rheinmetall laser weapon system (housed in a container), which took place from October 2022 to September 2023 on the Saxony frigate. However, as noted, "the final decision on the implementation of high-energy laser weapons systems on other ships or types of ships has not yet been made."
Meanwhile, frigates of the F 124 project will receive NSM anti-ship missiles manufactured by Kongsberg as a replacement for their RGM-84D Harpoon Block anti-ship missiles. The first integration of the NSM missile (which also has the ability to hit ground targets) into the Bundeswehr Navy is expected this decade.
Similar to the F 123 project, the Saxony-class ships are planned to be decommissioned in the 2030s. However, contracts for their replacement with F 127 type ships have not yet been concluded.
Baden-Wuertttemberg type frigates (F 125)
Four ships of the projectru/arsenali/fregati-korveti/mnogozelevoy-fregat-vms-germanii-f125/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">F125 were designed and built after September 11 for stabilization missions, but the changed security situation after the outbreak of its in Ukraine in February 2022 led to a reassessment of firepower the relics of this type. Currently, missile armament is provided by eight Harpoon Block IC anti-ship missiles and two Mk 49 launchers for Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) Block II short-range air defense systems. At the same time, modernization is planned.
Multipurpose frigate F222 Baden-Wuertttemberg
The possibility of integrating the IRIS-T air defense system (infrared imaging system and thrust vector control) from Diehl into ships of this type is being considered.
In December 2024, BAAINBw signed a contract with Diehl to conduct a feasibility study on the integration of the system, including a demonstration sample. The developer proposed "... a combination of SLS [short-range ground-based missile] and SLM [medium-range ground-based missile] for the F125 and F127 programs."
In his commentary, Andre Nolt, vice president of strategic ground-based air defense programs at Diehl Defense, said: "We have learned from the attacks in the Red Sea, realizing that in order to increase the effectiveness of interceptors, it is necessary to expand the capabilities of the sensor system. Ships, as a rule, have better situational awareness than any ground-based system, more advanced sensor complexes and more efficient data integration. Powerful systems such as active phased array (AFAR) radars are spreading. This makes it easier to support anti-aircraft missiles with target data, since IRIS-T and similar systems require target data of a certain quality."
The lack of a vertical launcher (VPU) in the F 125 led to a new approach. According to A. Nolt, the air defense system will be located in a "20-foot ISO container on the deck, similar to those used on land, but protected from waves, shock and vibration.We call it a task execution module. We believe that there will be room for four such modules on the F 125 frigates." Additional attention was paid to the combination of missiles: "Given the SLM range of 40 km and the ceiling of 20 km, as well as the SLX (extended-range ground launch) range of 80 km and the ceiling of 30 km, we considered that the combination of both types of missiles in the launch system meets the requirements of the Navy, so we applied to the German Navy on this basis."
A.Nolte continued: "We have our own software, Sensor Fire and Weapon Control (SFWC), which interacts with others. For example, we integrated it with the Airbus C2 command and control system. We are also integrating the IRIS-T with ground-based radars, including the Saab Giraffe 4A and 1X for shorter ranges, and with the Hensoldt TRML-4D," the latter of which is similar to the TRS-4D system on the F 125.
The Diehl Defense product range includes the IRIS-T SLM missile launcher, controlled from a command post at a distance of up to 20 km. The control range can be increased depending on the radio connection and antenna height. Although there are horizontal limitations, this distributed system may have advantages over long distances at sea. In this regard, the possibility of creating a fleet with several backups controlled from a carrier ship, for example, the frigate F125, is being considered. They must be large enough to carry a 20-foot ISO container pipe. As an option, the Cicada anti-drone is also being considered as a short-range air defense system. Cicada UAVs are mass-produced and at a lower cost per unit than a queue of 35 mm programmable fragmentation ammunition. But all short-range systems, including Cicada, with a range of less than 5 km, have their limitations.
Meanwhile, the report "The Course of the Sea 2025" indicates that the frigates of the F125 project will play a major role in combating surface targets (ASuW) and in launching a naval strike. Based on this, the Baden-Wuertttemberg frigates will also receive the NSM anti-ship missile system, and possibly modular container systems for hitting ground targets.
In addition, there are plans to equip Navy frigates with Kongsberg's advanced supersonic attack missile (3 SM) Tyrfing, designed to destroy sea and land targets. It is assumed that Tyrfing, as an addition to NSM, will be installed from 2035. Since F125-type ships are expected to be in service by this date, there is a possibility that they will receive a new missile; however, it can also be installed on F126 and F127-type ships.
To be continued...
Source: Janes Defense and Intelligence Review
