Germany Prepares to Buy MEKO A-200 Frigates From TKMS After F126 Delays
Germany is reportedly preparing a formal purchase contract for frigates from German shipbuilder TKMS as a stopgap navy capability, following lengthened delays of the originally planned F126 frigates.
The planned acquisition is centered on at least three MEKO A-200 class frigates, worth approximately 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) each, according to sources who informed Reuters.
The German parliament has already been notified of a preliminary agreement. Delivery of the first frigate could be completed by 2029, followed by the remaining warships in less than a year.
Delayed Frigate Program
In June 2020, Berlin awarded Damen Naval as the lead contractor to construct four F126 frigates, plus two more warships procured in June 2024.
The F126 frigates were initially designated as MKS 180 multi-purpose combat ships, to be equipped with Rheinmetall naval guns and Hensoldt radar systems.
However, the program faced delays, driven primarily by technical complexity, subsequent capability adjustments, and industrial and procedural challenges.
The F126 is expected to be a large, first-of-class frigate combining long global endurance, high automation, reduced crew levels, and modular mission systems, significantly increasing integration risk.
Construction for the first frigate Niedersachsen began in December 2023, with its keel laid in June 2024. It is planned for delivery by 2028, but it potentially faces being pushed back further.
Meanwhile, the remaining warships have not yet begun construction, and they are scheduled to enter service with the German Navy through the 2030s.
To ensure operational readiness, Germany’s budget committee approved 7.8 billion euros ($9.1 billion) in funding for an alternative procurement strategy in 2025.
MEKO A-200
The MEKO A-200 likely became the choice due to its proven, off-the-shelf design, enabling it to be delivered before the F126 frigates are ready, according to Naval News in September 2025.
It measures 121 meters (397 feet) long, with a 16.4-meter (53.8-foot) beam and a 4.4-meter (14.4-foot) draught, giving it a full-load displacement of around 3,950 metric tons.
The ship is operated by a core crew of 125, with space for up to 49 additional personnel.
It can achieve speeds of more than 29 knots (54 kilometers/33 miles per hour) while maintaining quiet operations.
Meanwhile, at a cruising speed of 16 knots (30 kilometers/18 miles per hour), the MEKO A-200 can sail over 6,500 nautical miles (12,040 kilometers/7,480 miles).
The frigate can carry two TEU-sized mission modules, operate two 6-ton helicopters or a single 11-ton helicopter alongside two unmanned aerial vehicles, and deploy two 8-meter (26-foot) rigid-hulled inflatable boats using side-mounted launch and recovery systems — allowing it to shift seamlessly between combat, patrol, and support roles.
