As part of a process started two years ago, the United States have now approved a German request for purchase of the AEGIS/SPY-6 AAW suite. Germany will purchase eight complete sets intended to fit out the future F127 AAW combatants.
Official Release by US State Department
“The U.S. Department of State has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Germany to Integrated Combat System, Supporting Equipment, and Support (sic). The estimated total cost is $11.9 billion.
The Government of Germany has requested to buy eight (8) shipsets of AEGIS-based Integrated Combat System (ICS) MK 6 MOD X computing infrastructures; eight (8) shipsets of AN/SPY-6(V)1 Active Electronically Scanned Array S-Band radars; eight (8) shipsets of MK 41 Baseline VIII Vertical Launch Systems; eight (8) shipsets of Cooperative Engagement Capability; eight (8) shipsets of Global Positioning System-based Positioning Navigation and Timing Service; nine (9) Command and Control Processors; ten (10) Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems on Ship Modernization systems; nine (9) MK 45 gun mounts; three (3) AN/SLQ-32(V)6 Electronic Warfare systems; eight (8) shipsets of AN/SPQ-9B radar systems; and eight (8) shipsets of AN/WSN-12 Inertial Navigation Systems.
The following non-MDE items will be included: Integrated Combat System computer program; Mod 5/S capable Identification Friend or Foe equipment; KIV-78 cryptographic appliques; AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loaders; Global Command and Control Systems for Maritime; Gigabit Ethernet Data Multiplex Systems; MK 99 MOD 14 Fire Control System radars; MK 38 MOD 4 Gun Weapon Systems (GWS); MK 34 GWS components including MK 160 gun computing system and MK 20 electro optical sight system; AN/WSN-9 digital hybrid speed log systems; AN/SPQ-15 converter/receiver and signal data converter equipment; Moriah wind systems; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; classified and unclassified software delivery and support; hardware to support development and testing in U.S. facilities; ancillary equipment; special purpose tools and test equipment; installation support material; classified and unclassified publications and technical documentation; initial spare and repair parts; training and training equipment; foreign liaison office and services necessary to support delivery; and other related elements of program and logistics support.
This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.
The proposed sale will enhance German maritime forces capability to meet current and future threats by improving national and territorial defense as well as interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces.
The principal contractors will be Lockheed Martin Corporation, located in Bethesda, Maryland, and RTX Corporation, located in Arlington, Virginia.”
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Naval News comments
This FMS notification is part of the German effort building eight new AEGIS-equipped AAW-frigates under the F127-effort. The original intention had been construction of six new AAW combatants replacing the presently operational three F124 AAW hulls of the Sachsen-class.
However, following revisions in the wake of a changing security environment in Europe and globally the German Navy now considers ballistic missile defence and comprehensive anti air-warfare and notionally land-attack missions an increasingly urgent priority for the service. The German selection of AEGIS and SPY-6 for F127 contrasts with the currently operational Sachsen-class carrying a European-developed pendant through the Tacticos/APAR-AAW suite.
Notably, if this purchase materialises, Germany will also transition from the presently used European Leonardo 127 mm main gun to the American Mk 45-equivalent. Furthermore, the acquisition of the Mk 38 Mod 4 30 mm RWS reflects an increased urgency addressing improved performance in self defence against various drone-based threats.
Of interest in this acquisition is also that according to conversations by Naval News with Raytheon executives in November last year Japanese defence electronics supplier Mitsubishi Electric (MELCO) will produce components for the SPY-6 radar sets intended for the German frigates. The development illustrates increasing global supply chain diversification even for sensitive American defence capabilities such as high end radar systems.
The future German F127-frigate design, based on the MEKO A400 Air Missile Defense (AMD) proposal, has experienced considerable capability growth, now intended to carry 96 cells for the Mk 41 VLS. Overall size remains unconfirmed, but is likely to approach or exceed 12,000 tons full displacement. The German Navy intends the new AEGIS-equipped F127 to enter service from the mid 2030s.
