The German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has signed a contract with Saab for the upgrade of naval radars and fire control directors on German Navy F123 frigates.
The contract includes the delivery of a new combat management system for a complete overhaul of the system currently in use on the four Brandenburg-class ships.
According to Saab, the contract is worth around 4,6 billion SEK (approx. $535M) and foresees deliveries to take place between 2021 and 2030.
Saab will be the prime contractor and will contract the German shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen for the shipbuilding work while the German company ESG will carry out logistical support.
As explained, the work will include the integration of the 9LV combat management system, Sea Giraffe 4A and Sea Giraffe 1X radars, Ceros 200 fire control director as well as third party systems, including IFF capability. It also includes a performance-based logistics package supporting the frigates’ operational capabilities.
The upgrade will allow the Germany Navy’s almost 30-year-old anti-submarine warfare (ASW) oriented frigates to remain in service until 2035.
Germany plans further upgrade packages for the ships, which would ensure sufficient ASW capacity for the German Navy until 2028, when the first of the new F126 frigates is expected to be delivered.
“We are proud that Germany has selected Saab as the combat system provider and integrator for the frigates to be overhauled. We look forward to contributing to strengthening Germany’s domestic combat systems integration capability, creating a high proportion of value and service provision in Germany,” says Micael Johansson, Saab’s president and CEO.
Saab will carry out the work in Germany, Sweden and Australia.
