Damen Shipyards Goup to build four MKS-180 Frigate for German Navy

The Dutch Shipbuilder Damen has announces that Damen Shipyards Group and the German Bundesamt fur Ausrüstung, Informations technik and Nutzung der Bundeswehr signed the contract for the construction of four MKS-180 frigates for the German Navy. Damen is the main contractor for this complex project together with partners Blohm+Voss and Thales, Germany.

The combination of companies was previously declared the winner of a European tender, the largest in the history of the German Navy. The necessary financial resources were released by the German Parliamentary budget committee. The contract marks the start of the design and construction phase.

 

 

Future MKS-180 Frigate of German Navy

Approximately 80% of the project investment remains in Germany as added value. The vessels will be built at Blohm+Voss in Hamburg, but partly also at other shipyard locations in Germany, including Bremen, Kiel and Wolgast and approximately 100 small and medium-sized companies from the maritime industry, mechanical engineering and plant construction sectors will be involved from almost all German states.

The project will begin soon and involves delivery of four frigates from 2027 to 2031 for an amount of 4.6 billion euros with an option to supply two more frigates. The MKS 180 is designed to be used as a multi-purpose combat ship with interchangeable mission-specific modules. The MKS 180 frigates will have a displacement of up to 9,000 tons and the largest combat ship will be in service with the Germany Navy.

Damen Shipbuilders Groups four MKS-180 Series Frigate of German Navy

The MKS 180 frigate will be armed with medium and short air defense missile systems, long-range anti-ship missiles. It will have a 127 mm main gun able to fire extended-range ammunition as well as automatic cannons and machine gun for its self-protection.

The German added value and knowledge development also apply to Thales's mission systems acquired within the project. Approximately 70% is supplied by Thales's German branches in Kiel and Wilhelmshaven. This is done in close cooperation with numerous subcontractors.

Gerben Edelijn, CEO of Thales Netherlands said,"This historic contract for both the German Navy and Thales is a significant milestone in more than 50 years of cooperation, and confirms our worldwide leading position in the field of high-end naval mission systems. These innovative frigates can rely on the latest technologies in the field of cyber defense, radar and fire control. The AWWS system, developed for the Netherlands and Belgian Navies, will soon also enable the German Navy to withstand threats of future."