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 F125 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. 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.
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.”
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 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.”
The F125 Baden-Württemberg-class frigates are a series of frigates of the German Navy, which were designed and constructed by ARGE F125, a joint-venture of Thyssen-Krupp and Lürssen. The Baden-Württemberg class is the heaviest displacement of any class of frigates worldwide. They have replaced the Bremen class. They are primarily designed for low and medium intensity maritime stabilization operations, where they are supposed to provide sea-to-land tactical fire support, asymmetric threat control at sea and support of special forces. 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.
