Germany abandons F126 plan amid delays, rising costs

Germany is preparing to abandon plans to build six F126 frigates, a multi-billion-euro program that would have produced the largest warships in the history of the German Navy.

German news magazine Der Spiegel reported that Defence Minister Boris Pistorius intends instead to procure eight smaller MEKO A-200 frigates from German shipbuilder TKMS.

The reported decision could deal a significant setback to defense contractor Rheinmetall, which had been expected to assume control of the F126 frigate program from Dutch shipbuilder Damen Shipyards Group in the second quarter, according to Rheinmetall Chief Executive Officer Armin Papperger.

According to the reports, Germany's naval leadership supports the proposed shift to the MEKO A-200 platform.

The MEKO A-200 frigates measure approximately 120 meters (394 feet) in length, making them considerably smaller than the planned F126 vessels, which were designed to be 166 metres long.

 The F126 program has faced a series of challenges in recent years, including technical difficulties and repeated delays, factors that reportedly contributed to the government's decision to reconsider the project.

By Vafa Guliyeva