Germany prepares to order four additional MEKO A-200 frigates

A MEKO A-200 DEU frigate under construction at TKMS' shipyard in Bremerhaven where construction began on 3 February 2026, image released by the German Federal Ministry of Defence on 8 July 2026. (Bundeswehr/Christoph Kassette)

Germany's parliamentary budget committee has approved the acquisition of four additional MEKO A-200 DEU frigates from shipbuilder TKMS, according to a government press release issued on 8 October 2026.

The procurement follows an initial order for four identical ships approved on 8 July. The contract with TKMS provided an option for four more. The cost of the first four vessels was valued at EUR6.3 billion (USD7 billion), while exercising the option would cost a further EUR5.3 billion, according to the German Federal Defence Ministry (BMVg). The first frigate is scheduled to be delivered at the end of 2029, it added.

The decision now increases the German Navy's planned F128 fleet to eight ships.

The navies of Algeria, Egypt, and South Africa currently operate variants of the A-200. The ship has a length of 121 m, a displacement of 3,950 tonnes, a top speed of 29 kt, a range of 6,500 n miles, and a core crew capacity of 125. The monohull ship has what TKMS refers to as an X-Form hull shape characterised by angled side walls, which the company said contributes to a low radar cross-section. The frigate's 16.4 m beam and active fin stabilisers reduce rolling, enabling safe helicopter and boat operations up to sea state six, the company added.

The four additional frigates will be built directly on the established structures, processes, and supply chains of the ongoing programme at TKMS' Bremerhaven shipyard. This is intended to allow production to continue without fundamental changes, said TKMS.