The German Navy – The Way Forward?
RBS15 Mk3 is the main surface offensive weapon carried on the new K130 missile corvette.
One of the largest fleets in NATO, the German Navy appears to have escaped most of the recent cuts imposed by the government’s austerity plan, since construction of the new vessels and upgrades for existing platforms seems to continue. However, the planned reduction of 60 percent in its defense budget could have negative effect in the future, if the government decides to press on with the cuts. To continue operating under these restricted budgetary constraints the Navy may have to reduce its mission sets, whilst assuming a reduced ‘asymmetric’ role focused on counter-piracy, peacemaking and peacekeeping operations, rather than full scale, high intensity operations.
In addition to taking part in current NATO activities the German Navy deploys routinely at the Baltic Sea and is taking part in many international operations, including peacekeeping operations, security and counter piracy activities, as far as Africa and the Indian Ocean. In total, there are about 90 commissioned warships in the German Navy including 43 auxiliary ships; the total displacement of the navy is 220,000 tons. In addition to this, the German Navy and the Royal Danish Navy are in cooperation in the “Ark Project”. This agreement made the Ark Project responsible for the strategic sealift of German armed forces where the full-time charter of three roll-on-roll-off cargo and troop ships are ready for deployments. In addition, these ships are also kept available for the use of the other European NATO countries. The three vessels have a combined displacement of 60,000 tons. Including these ships, the total ships’ displacement available to the Deutsche Marine is 280,000 tons.
F219 Sachsen, the lead F124 class frigate german navy fires an ESSM air defense missile.
The German Navy operates two flotillas, the surface fleet which includes 15 frigates of three types and Type 212 subs, with a squadron of ten fast missile boats operating in the Baltic sea. In recent years the German Navy went through major modernization, with the fielding of the F-124 class frigates, K130 corvettes and Type 212 submarines, all locally built by the Blohm & Voss, Lürssen, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and Howaldtswerke Deutschland Werct (HDW) shipyards.
The seeming stability does not reflect years of decline in new orders, which almost brought the HDW submarine builder to a standstill and drove TKMS to sell most of its naval and commercial surface shipbuilding assets to the UAE in 2009. The company agreed to establish a “close strategic partnership” and Memorandum of Understanding with the Abu Dhabi MAR (ADM) group in the United Arab Emirates. The proposed sale followed related purchases in Germany by Abu Dhabi MAR, and other recent shipyard sales by TKMS. The net effect was a restructuring of Germany’s naval shipbuilding industry.
The envisioned agreement involved a 50/50 joint venture to build naval surface ships, with TKMS retaining a lead role and know-how in all projects with the German Navy and NATO partners, while ADM was responsible for the Middle East and North Africa. At the same time, however, Abu Dhabi MAR would acquiring 80% of TKMS’ key surface ship firms: Blohm and Voss Shipyards, Blohm and Voss Repair, and Blohm and Voss Industries. That deal has largely fallen through in 2011, leaving TKMS naval assets “in play” again.
Today, the German Navy maintains two operates 15 frigates of three types – the Bremen (8), Brandenburg (4) and Sachsen class (3), which is also the newest (F124 class) air defense frigates. In November 2011 Germany laid the keel of the first of four F125 next generation frigates ‘stealth design’, likely to be one of the world’s largest class of frigates with a displacement in excess of 7,200 tonnes, expected to enter service in 2016 in time to replace the first Bremen class frigates. Although the crew is to be reduced to 120 sailors, instead of the planned 235 crew, the vessels will operate with the “two crew concept”, as the vessel is capable of long endurance at sea. Completion of the F125 fleet is anticipated by December 2018.
The German frigates carry MBDA MM-38 Exocet anti-ship missiles, Raytheon RIM-162 Evolved Sea-Sparrow Missiles developed under a multinational NATO cooperation and RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles built under a German-U.S. cooperation also led by Raytheon with Diehl BGT Defence as its German partner. The vessels are also equipped with advanced radars, sophisticated combat information systems built by EADS and combined ESM/ECM supplied by the UK.
New Shipbuilding Programs
There are three ongoing naval construction programs: Type 212 submarines (two of a total six boats on order are yet to be delivered), four F125 frigates, the keel of the first one was laid this month, and three K130 corvettes yet to be delivered.
The first of four F125 class frigates is scheduled for delivery by 2016. Photo: TKMS
While all shipbuilding programs are exclusive to Germany, the weapon systems, parts of the radar and other electronics subsystems are being developed as part of international cooperations, to reduce development cost.
The F125 program will deliver four ships between 2014 and 2018. The program focuses on long endurance vessel optimized for asymmetric warfare and peacetime operation far from its home port. As such, the 5,500 ton vessel will have a crew of up to 120 personnel, about half of the crew that were required to operate previous generation frigates. The vessel will also be able to support special forces teams of 50 personnel.
The navy is in the process of inducting the first two of five new Braunschweig Class K130 corvettes, based on the MEKO A design, with three more under construction. These corvettes are supplementing the squadron of fast missile boats and will better support typical operations assumed by the German Navy, including anti-piracy support. K130 is also designed for a lean crew, operated by a complement of 65. These corvettes represent a mix of systems and technologies from different European and Scandinavian makers – the radar is made by EADS in Germany, as well as the ESM and countermeasure systems. The command, control, communications and optronic fire control systems comes from Thales Netherlands; the 76/62mm gun is an Italian system from Oto-Melara while the main weapon system is the Swedish RBS15 Mk3. The later is a surface launched fire-and-forget long range anti-ship and land attack missile, developed by the Saab Group. To gain economy of scale and share the program’s life cycle cost, Germany, Poland and Sweden have decided to collaborate and equip their new vessels with the new missile. Marketed jointly by Diehl and Saab, RBS-15 Mk3 is being offered as a future armament of its frigates and potential replacement of earlier Exocet and Harpoon missiles.
The german Navy will operate five K130 Braunschweig class corvettes. The vessel in the photo is the fourth ship, F263 Oldenburg. Photo: TKMS.
A squadron of ten Gepard class Fast Missile Boats, equipped with MM38 Exocet anti-ship missiles is also operational, but the number of boats has being reduced gradually. Under the 2010 announced budget cuts, the Navy will retire its Gepard class fast missile boats. The first vessels, Nerz and Dachs will be retired by March 2012. Other Type 143A boats retained as operational performed training in the Baltic Sea in November 2011.
Modernizing the Submarine Force
U-212 class submarine U-34 (S-184) at Bremen, 2007
Until recently the German Navy operated a flotilla of ten submarines, based at Eckernförde. Up to 2010 the German submarine fleet consisted of modernized Type 206A diesel-electric submarines, which were originally commissioned between 1973 and 1975, and upgraded since 1992, and four new hybrid diesel-electric/fuel cell air independent propulsion (AIP) Type 212A submarines, which were commissioned between 2004 and 2006. In 2010 the remaining Type 206A subs were retired from active service as part of the Bundeswehr budget cuts. Current plans foresee a total of six Type 212A boats, with the final two vessels projected to become operational by 2012 and 2013 respectively. The original plan was to construct a total of eight Type 212 vessels, but in January 2004 the German Defense Ministry announced that no more submarines would be ordered until 2016.
Germany possesses a manufacturing capability at HDW for a diesel-electric special export-only submarine, the type 800 Dolphin class and has exported numerous variants of these, Turkey and Israel being amongst its customers. This is perceived as a very capable conventional submarine, with various shipyards offering upgrades.
The German Navy’s main roles, in conjunction with other NATO navies or as part of a UN force, are conflict prevention, crisis management, peacekeeping and counter-terrorism operations. As a result of the 212A submarine’s stealth capabilities, it is also able to carry out effective covert intelligence and reconnaissance missions. German submarines were deployed as part of peacekeeping operations in the Adriatic Sea during the mid-1990s, and as part of NATO operation “Active Endeavour” and support to the US-led conflict in Afghanistan “Enduring Freedom”.
In support of new operational priorities, there are future plans to equip the 212A with a land-attack capability. The Interactive Defense and Attack System for Submarines (IDAS), currently under development by Diehl BGT Defence, HDW and Kongsberg of Norway, uses a wire-guided missile to engage helicopters and mobile targets on shore. The third Type 212 submarine, U33 was selected as the platform for testing the new weapon. The missile made the first flight in June 2008, successfully launched from the torpedo tubes of the submerged submarine.
Mine Countermeasures Fleet
The German Navy operates five Type 352 minesweepers equipped with hull mounted DSQS-11 mine detection sonar and the ‘Troika Plus’ system, comprising a manned mothership and unmanned Seahound (seal) vessels being the lead element. Some of the older Type 333 (converted fast gun boats) are currently being retired.
About the author: Peter L. Hartley, MSc, CAET, MInstP, MIET
With 41+ years experience in defense electronics (radar, electronic warfare, C3I and CIS and mission systems) and associated activities, Peter Hartley offers a wide range of skills and capabilities in the field of Systems including System Architecture, Bid Management, Bid Reviews at national/international levels, Business Development (and Business Creation), Customer Liaison, Contract Negotiation, Marketing Support, Engineering Management, Design Authority, Team Building, and Research.
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at 19:05
Unlike other NATO countries Germany has non of the very expensive surface vessels like destroyers, and aircraft carriers.
The German navy can probably buy four frigates for the price of a single Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carrier being built for the Royal Navy.
The Type 212 submarine is a fraction of the price of the big nuclear submarines used by the major NATO naval powers.
So whilst Germany might have one of the largest fleets in NATO its made up of smaller and cheaper vessels and as they have a long lifespan modernizing the navy is justifiable.
at 20:15
Brett,
You are quite right about the German Navy not having an expensive Carrier, likewise major Nuclear Defence Submarines. This is a huge money-saving aspect.
One significant point you made is the long lifespan of the German Engineering. In terms of Availability, this makes a tremendous difference.
The new German F-125 frigates are substantial modern vessels. Continuous operation for two years at sea, with stealth capability and air defence and also land defence/attack, makes them significant German warships. They also will ‘out-weapon’ the UK Type 23 (even after the intended re-fit of the type 23). I would not be tempted to refer to these as “cheap” – rather, I would say that Germany has a better cost control system than the UK (in certain areas).
One might be tempted to compare their capabilities with that of previous standard destroyers – if it were not for the limitations upon Germany’s armaments following WWII.
Meanwhile, the UK (unfortunately) now lacks the type 22 frigate, although the type 23 is intended to go through an expensive upgrade programme. True, the UK type 45 destroyers are being commissioned, but unless there is a proper carrier group (including the CVF, or Queen Elizabeth class), there might be some confusion as to deployment purpose and the tradional “Force Projection”.
You need also to look at the highly sophisticated C3I of the F-125.
Meanwhile, there is no obvious sight of the replacement for the Type 22 and type 23 frigates, other than the Consortium’s attempt to interest another NATO nation in off-shore manufacture and possible ‘buy-back’.
One thing that has me interested is that Germany has decided that the 800-class submarine is for “Export Use, Only”. My interest revolves around the large number of countries, and their dockyards, being interested in acquisition and upgrades. These upgrades would, if combined, make an extremely effective, modern submarine. Watch this with interest.
Please do not imagine that I am ‘decrying’ the Royal Navy’s Fleet or capability. However, I can only report facts, country by country. Germany ‘grasped the nettle’ with regard to fiscal prudence some years ago – something the the UK and MOD are yet struggling with. Today’s suggestions that the MOD has a £38Bn hidden shortfall (to be confirmed) is a major issue.
at 16:48
Peter
You mentioned how Germany was better cost control system than the UK and I tend to agree with you on this issue.
I think cost control is actually a problem that all the big NATO naval powers have ( US included ).
They want the big ships partly the prestige of having them ( having a big navy that can wave a big stick ) and partly because they have never had a small navy and so the idea of downsizing is unthinkable to them.
Its like with nuclear weapons the original 5 nuclear powers have always had them and see them as tactical weapons whilst for emerging military powers like India, Pakistan and Iran a large part of it is prestige rather than need, you got nukes you have joined an exclusive club.
You say yourself restrictions were put on Germany after WW2 so that forced them from being a great navel power to they had been to something on a much smaller scale navy.
As a result of their situation they know what they needed for personal defense and playing a more minor role in NATO maritime operations and thats all they want which has helped them keep control of the purse strings.
I think there are more cuts being made in other areas where Germany contributes much more to NATO like ground and air operations because they haven’t adopted the same limitations in those fields.
A ship might cost millions but you got the thing for decades, a missile is cheap in comparison but once you fired it its gone and you tend to use alot of missiles in wars so the costs build up.
at 08:42
RE Nukes: Brett, while India and Pakistan already have nuclear weapons – Iran still DOESN’T have them! They want very much to have them, but the fact remains – that AS YET they don’t. Regarding “prestige” of having these weapons, and being then a member of the “club” – it’s all true regarding the way of thinking in India, Pakistan and Iran. But, in the case of Iran they also have another, and for them surely more important reason of their own – once they will have these weapons, they want to be able to use them to attack Israel, in one way, or another.
at 06:49
Brett,
Your points are well-made. The USA has a standard pattern and production lines for aircraft carriers, capable of carrying a total of 6,000 crew and combatants. Changing the size of their carriers would be a major political ‘hot potato’.
In contrast, Germany’s armoured brigades and air defence are notable assets.
The “Nuclear Club” is a major nightmare, politically and in practice. The Life Cycle Costs are rarely considered by aspirants to the “Club”. However, the Russians are now having to deal with dangerous materials, with inadequate funding. The SALT Agreements were a major relief for all sides.
The most ‘telling point’ is the cost of missiles. Whilst some missiles might be relatively low cost (circa £50k – £150k), during recent Middle East conflicts, every Cruise Missile (cost circa £0.5M) fired by the Royal Navy effectively meant that the MOD would have to ‘cut’ a Research Project. So British Defence Industry (and MOD Research) ‘lost out’ every time such a missile was fired – the only ‘winner’ was Raytheon, who manufacture the “Tomahawk” Cruise Missile and thus will supply the replacements.