ARGE partners and the Bundeswehr Procurement Office rely on continuity in the support of the F125 and have confirmed their long-term cooperation.
The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has extended the existing contract with ARGE F125 for the technical-logistical support (TLB) of the BAAINBw frigate class for a further five years until 1 March 2029. The contract covers the four ships and the testing/training center (EZ/AZ F125) in Wilhelmshaven. The F125 consortium is made up of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems as the lead company and the NVL Group.
Following the signing, Dr. Oliver Juckenhöfel, Head of Operating Unit Surface Vessels at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, said: “The extension of the TLB F125 contract is a strong vote of confidence from the German customer and is proof that we have successfully proven ourselves as a system house.” The main purpose of the contract extension is to continue to support the Bundeswehr Procurement Office (BAAINBw) in maintaining the operational readiness of the F125 class ships in the face of constantly evolving requirements. “The F125 class will be the backbone of the German Navy’s operational commitments in the coming years. Ensuring the operational readiness of the ships together with the public client is an active contribution to the security policy of the Federal Republic of Germany, which we are happy to make,” Dr. Juckenhöfel added.
The frigate BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG is currently the first ship of the class to be deployed in UNIFIL operations off Lebanon (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), where it is impressively demonstrating its capabilities. Patrick Buggenthin, Program Manager ARGE F125, emphasizes the importance of the contract: “The continuation of the TLB contract is confirmation for us that the good and successful cooperation of recent years is also valued by the German customer. We look forward to continuing to support the crews and the many servicemen and women as well as employees ashore in ensuring that the ships can perform their duties and contribute towards the operational readiness of the German Navy.”
Key data – BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG class F125
- Length: 149 m
- Beam: 18 m
- Top speed: > 26 kn
- Displacement: approx. 7,200 metric tons
- Complement: max. 190 (including up to 126 regular crew)
- Units built: 4
