Thales outlines latest developments on German F126 programme

Thales delivers updates on the subcontractors and sensors selected for the German F125 frigate programme. Pictured is a Damen Naval concept design of the German F126 frigates. (Damen Group)

Thales Netherlands officials outlined the latest developments in the German Navy's F126 frigate programme during a company briefing at its Hengelo facility.

Speaking to Janes and other media on 7 June, Federiko Krommendijk, Thales deputy project director for F126, detailed that IBM, DXC, and Atos were some of the company's key subcontractors contributing to the programme.

The F126 programme, sometimes referred to as MKS 180, is a EUR4.6 billion (USD4.8 billion) contract led by prime contractor Damen Naval that involves the design and construction of four multi-purpose surface combatant frigates.

Thales was awarded a EUR1.5 billion contract in November 2020 for the full integration and delivery of the mission system, fire control system, and communications suite. The company plans to supply its TACTICOS combat management system, integrated communications, a cyber security solution, and a new Above Water Warfare System (AWWS) fire-control cluster incorporating the Active Phased Array multifunction Radar (APAR) Block 2 X-band multifunction radar.

Krommendijk noted that over the course of the programme, Thales intends to award upwards of EUR600 million to approximately 10 subcontractors.

In March 2021 IBM was selected by Thales to deliver the tactical datalink (TDL). This will provide data communication via media systems such as radio and satellite, Krommendijk said.

He added that DXC, together with Atos, was selected in March 2021 to provide the command, control, and information system that will deliver and enable the overarching information provision and data handling on board the ship.