Posted on October 7, 2026
By Fabrice Wolf
Berlin’s decision to abandon the F126 frigates deals a severe new blow to the Dutch naval group Damen, which is already facing difficulties in several European markets, particularly in Belgium and the Netherlands. Selected to lead one of the Deutsche Marine’s main renewal programmes, the shipbuilder now sees Germany preparing to acquire 8 MEKO A-200 vessels from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). This industrial setback nevertheless contrasts with continued strong activity in patrol vessels and progress on Portugal’s future light drone carrier NRP D. João II.
Delays to the Deutsche Marine’s F126 programme
Also designated MKS 180 at its launch, the F126 programme was intended to provide the German Navy with 6 large frigates in order to bolster its surface capabilities, particularly in the Baltic Sea. Berlin ordered 4 vessels in 2020, followed by 2 additional units in 2024, for a total announced value of €8 billion. The first ship was initially expected to be available in 2027, before a new schedule postponed its entry into service until 2031 at the earliest. Another estimate even refers to a launch only in 2032, compared with 2028 under the contractual timeline.
Damen adopted the 3DEXPERIENCE design software to conduct the frigates’ detailed engineering studies. Its use is said, however, to have caused several errors in the routing of cables and pipes, as well as the manufacture of steel components with incorrect dimensions. These parts subsequently required manual rework. Incompatibilities with the tools used by German partners and frequent server failures are also said to have disrupted the work, reducing the production rate to around 20 to 30% of the planned level.
These industrial difficulties were compounded by disagreements with the German office responsible for military procurement. It reportedly refused digital technical documentation drafted in English, while Damen was working under a method allowing progressive design adaptations. The German authorities, for their part, required the prior approval of every technical detail. Rheinmetall eventually took over the integration of the operating systems in an attempt to unblock manufacturing, without being able to eliminate the consequences of the errors already introduced into the design.
