Posted on July 6, 2026
The F126 programme was an ambitious, multi-billion-euro international cooperation project. In line with the requirements of the German government, the project entity Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (Damen) worked with a broad German and European industrial consortium, with the vessels due to be built entirely at German shipyards and containing components from German, French, other European and international suppliers. Parts of the first vessels, as well as systems and supplier components, are already ready for assembly.
Large international defence programmes are technologically challenging and inevitably involve complex decision-making, evolving requirements and dependencies between multiple parties. In this case, the vessel was also subject to high-tech, partly untested requirements set out in the tender and later change requests.
From the outset, we were fully committed to delivering the project successfully, within the agreed framework and in close, constructive cooperation with the German government and partners.
Throughout, Damen sought to take a constructive and solution-oriented approach to moving the programme forward. This also applied to discussions between the German government, German partner NVL and Damen on possible solutions and the future structure of the programme. These three parties already agreed on a trilateral arrangement to transfer the project to NVL as the new main contractor. Damen was prepared to continue supporting both the project and the new main contractor after that transfer.
We are currently assessing the consequences of the unexpected decision by the German government to suddenly end the project. Damen also intends to engage with the German government on an orderly wind down of the project to preserve maximum value for all stakeholders concerned. At this moment in time we cannot further comment on this process.
Against this background, Damen is focused on achieving an orderly settlement of the project, in close coordination with all parties involved and with due regard for all interests, including those of employees. As the vast majority of the extensive supply chain is located in Germany, the major share of the industrial contribution of billions of Euros would have been generated in Germany.
Following the completely unexpected and sudden stopping of the project by the German government, we are reminded once again of the importance of consistent cooperation and predictable decision-making in strengthening the European defence industry. This matters not only for individual projects, but also for broader European and NATO ambitions.
The stopping of the F126 programme will make substantial, high-quality engineering capacity available within Damen. This expertise is of great value to the Dutch maritime and industrial sectors. We will evaluate to what extent this capacity can be deployed directly on other defence-related projects, at a time when pressure on Dutch and European defence capacity remains high, and are prepared to enter into respective conversations with the Dutch government.
Damen is well placed to move quickly and apply its innovative capabilities to help accelerate programmes such as the Belgian-Dutch frigate programme.
