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Frigate fiasco in Kiel: construction projects are in danger of failing!
Problems with the construction of the F126 frigates in Kiel: delays, financial difficulties and possible cancellations characterize the project.
Frigate fiasco in Kiel: construction projects are in danger of failing!
The construction of six new class F126 frigates for the German Navy is in serious crisis. The project has been stalled in the construction dock of the German Naval Yards in Kiel for a year, and more and more questions remain unanswered. There are discussions about a possible cancellation by the federal government of this billion-dollar order. KN Online reports that the Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding B.V. is faced with significant IT problems that could delay the delivery of the ships. The company's economic situation is precarious and inevitably leads to fears about the future of the project.
Originally tendered in January 2020 and won for 5.2 billion euros to build four MKS180 naval combat ships, the project was increased due to geopolitical developments, in particular the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. This resulted in the order to manufacture the F126 frigates. The Dutch Parliament approved a bridge loan of 270 million euros to support ladies in this critical phase.
Delays and uncertainty
The Federal Ministry of Defense is faced with further delays. How n-tv reported, the first frigate was originally scheduled to be handed over to the Navy in 2028. The problems hampering the work are largely due to difficulties in the IT interface of the Damen shipyard's design and manufacturing software. While the Ministry has provided information on these delays, details on the extent or possible cost increases are yet to be provided.
In the current situation, it is questionable when the first ship will actually be ready for use. Insiders estimate that the earliest date must now be dated to 2030. For a project with a budget of nine billion euros, this is alarming news. The delays in construction in particular are also a sign of the complicated cooperation between the Damen shipyard and the German shipyards involved, so that the Bundeswehr armaments authority cannot offer any clear answers. Picture highlights that the contract requires at least 70 percent of the work to be carried out in Germany.
In the meantime, there is nothing left but to continue working with the existing frigates such as the “Schleswig-Holstein” and modernize them. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has already sounded the alarm and is receiving regular updates on progress. Vice Admiral Jan C. Kaack is frustrated by the situation, but is already looking to future projects, such as the F127 frigates from Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, that could potentially lead to a solution to this predicament.
The challenges in frigate construction are a clear sign of the problems that the German Navy has to deal with. It remains to be seen whether the passionate hope for the new ships will come true or whether the project will ultimately be canceled.