On Friday, April 17, 2026, the US Department of State approved the potential sale to the Federal Republic of Germany of a package including the Aegis Combat System and weapons for the future eight F127-class air-defense frigates (destroyers) under the NGFrig-AD program for up to 11.9 billion USD.
Visualization of the MEKO A-400 AMD design offered as the F127 / Graphics: TKMS
According to the published information, the government in Berlin requested the possible acquisition of:
- 8 shipsets of the Mark 6 Mod X Integrated Combat System (ICS) based on the Aegis Combat System;
- 8 shipsets of AN/SPY-6(V)1 air-defense radars with an S-band AESA active electronically scanned array;
- 8 shipsets of Mark 41 Vertical Launching System universal vertical launchers in the Baseline VII Strike Length Launcher version, the so-called “long” version (two blocks of 32 cells per ship);
- 8 sets of the Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC) networked combat system;
- 8 sets of shipborne GPS PNT satellite navigation, positioning, and timing equipment;
- 9 command-and-control processors;
- 10 MIDS On Ship Modernized multifunctional information-distribution systems;
- 9 Mk 45 Mod 4 127 mm/62-caliber naval gun mounts;
- 3 AN/SLQ-32(V)6 SEWIP Block 3 electronic warfare systems;
- 8 sets of AN/SPQ-9B surface-search radars;
- 8 sets of AN/WSN-12 shipborne inertial navigation systems.
In addition, the package includes the following non-MDE (Major Defense Equipment) items: Aegis Integrated Combat System computer software; Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment compliant with Mod 5/S, together with KIV-77 cryptographic units; AN/PYQ-10 cryptographic modules; the Global Command and Control System–Maritime (GCCS-M); gigabit Ethernet data-multiplexing systems; Mk 99 Mod 14 fire-control radars; Mk 38 Mod 4 25 mm gun weapon systems; AN/WSN-9 digital hybrid speed-log systems; AN/SPQ-15 signal data converter/receiver and converter equipment; Moriah wind-measurement systems; US government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; development and testing support equipment at facilities in the United States; support equipment; specialist tools and test equipment; installation support materials; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; spare and repair parts; training equipment and training; liaison office support; services required to support deliveries; and other related elements of program and logistics support.
Analysis
Earlier, for the ships in question, on November 14, 2025, the United States approved the sale of a large package comprising a total of 750 SM-2 Block IIIC and SM-6 Block I interceptor missiles for up to 3.5 billion USD. The purchase of RIM-162 ESSM, SM-3, RGM-109 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles, IRIS-T HYDEF, and PAC-3 MSE missiles is also being considered.
According to information on the F127-class air-defense frigates (destroyers) updated in January 2026, based on the MEKO A-400 AMD design submitted by a joint venture made up of TKMS and Naval Vessels (part of Rheinmetall AG), the ships are to be 177.99 m long overall (including 173.4 m at the waterline), 24 m wide, have a draft of 7.8 m, and displace more than 12,000 t. This means they will be larger than the F126 Niedersachsen-class frigates: 166 m long, 21.7 m wide, with a draft of 5.9 m and a displacement of 10,550 t, which had previously been described as the largest German surface combatants under construction, although they are delayed and interim MEKO A-200 DEU ships have been ordered – editor’s note.
The Aegis Combat System is to be integrated into, and compatible with, Germany’s FüWES-M (Führungs- und Waffeneinsatzsysteme – Marine) naval command-and-fire-control architecture, and will use the CMS 330 combat management system.
The CODLAG (Combined Diesel-Electric and Gas) propulsion system, consisting of a gas turbine, diesel engines, and electric motors, will enable a speed of up to 32 kt (or up to 18 kt on electric motors only), provide a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles, and allow an endurance of up to 21 days. The hull will have ice class 1C, while the crew is to number 180 officers and sailors, with the ability to embark an additional 50 personnel.
In addition to the systems listed above, plans call for the integration of two AN/SPG-62G X-band fire-control radars as part of the Mk 99 Mod 14 system, domestically produced Spexer 2000 3D surface radars, the Kora 40 electronic warfare system, the Virgilius electronic support system, bow and towed-array sonars from Atlas Elektronik, a high-energy laser weapon system (HELWS) with an output of more than 100 kW from MBDA Deutschland, two next-generation qNFMLG naval guns, eight NSM and/or 3SM Tyrfing anti-ship missile launchers, two triple launchers for MU90 Impact lightweight torpedoes, and two NH90 MRFH (Sea Tiger) shipborne naval helicopters.
The bidder has declared that ship deliveries will begin in the mid-2030s. As TKMS emphasizes, the MEKO A-400 AMD design will expand existing capabilities through improved propulsion systems and energy-storage/power-supply systems for future weapons and command systems. In addition, the new hull type offers more space for weapons integration and a higher cruising speed. This means the new frigate type can be equipped with a combination of new missile types to counter airborne threats while simultaneously engaging several targets with long-range systems. At the same time, the frigate will also be able to operate against maritime and land targets, as well as conduct anti-submarine warfare. Equipping the ship with systems that meet NATO requirements will also ensure integration and cooperation within the Alliance’s transatlantic strategy.
The three F126 Sachsen-class guided-missile frigates, commissioned between 2003 and 2006, are to be replaced: FGS Sachsen (F219), Hamburg (F220), and Hessen (F221). Construction of Thüringen (F222) was canceled.
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