BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr taking delivery of the frigate "Nordrhein-Westfalen"

The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr) accepted the second class F125 frigate “Nordrhein-Westfalen” from ARGE F125 at the naval base in Wilhelmshaven on 3 March 2020. The Arbeitsgemeinschaft (ARGE) F125 is a consortium formed by Thyssen Krupp Industrial Solutions AG and Lürssen Werft GmbHGesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung & Co. KG.

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An important milestone

The signature of the acceptance protocol by the head of the acceptance commission of the Bundeswehr Technical Center for Ships and Naval Weapons, Maritime Technology and Research (WTDWehrtechnische Dienststelle 71) was an important project milestone. It marks the end of the construction phase of the ship which started at the workshop in May 2012 followed by keel laying in October 2012.

Commodore Andreas Czerwinski, head of the Sea Directorate at BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr emphasized that the class 125 frigates were a further significant step towards the urgently required renewal of the fleet.

Benefits from the experience with “Baden-Wuerttemberg”

Subsequent to the naming ceremony on 16 April 2015, the first final acceptance trials started in August 2016. The project manager at the Sea Directorate of BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr emphasized that even during the demonstrations, they could profit from the experiences gained during the trials of the first ship “Baden-Wuerttemberg”. The first time integration of the electronic warfare system KORA and the 12.7 mm HMG weapon station HMG are further significant steps towards operational readiness for the F125 class.

The final tests have started

For “Nordrhein-Westfalen”, a transition phase led by BAAINBwBundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr in which the complete basics for the operation of the ship will be produced will end around mid-June. This phase will conclude with the commissioning of the new frigate by the German Navy.

The project team’s work will not be completed then. The third and fourth ship’s final acceptance trials are in their last stages and they are to be accepted in the second quarter of 2021. Several activities for the preparation of the in-service phase are ongoing in close cooperation with the Naval Arsenal including planning the lay time for the first major overhaul of the frigate “Baden-Wuerttemberg”.

Full operational maturity will be achieved with the fourth ship in August 2022.