French defense contractor Thales has awarded German sensor solutions provider Hensoldt a contract for the delivery of its TRS-4D naval radar to the future F126 multi-purpose frigates of the German Navy.
Worth over a hundred million Euros, the contract will see Hensoldt work with mission combat system prime contractor Thales on integrating the radars on the ships.
The TRS-4D radar will be installed in its non-rotating version with four fixed-panel arrays. The integration of the radar on the ships and shore installations will be done by Thales to deliver a mission and combat system that complies with the German requirements.
Contracted in 2020, F126 is the latest frigate program for the German Navy. The F126 class will consist of four ships (with an option for two more ships). The program also includes multiple land-based test and training sites. The first frigate F126 is expected to be delivered to the customer in 2028. The entire program will run for over ten years.
First radar deliveries are scheduled for 2025, according to Hensoldt.
“We are happy to work together with Hensoldt and give the F126 frigates a sensor suite that fully complies with the German requirements. German and Netherlands’ navies and industry have a long tradition of working together with formidable results and we are looking forward to continuing this tradition,” Gerben Edelijn, vice president Thales above water systems, said.
“Our TRS-4D and its high-end components are deployed onboard several German Navy ships offering a high degree of commonalities to the customer,” said Markus Rothmaier, vice president naval & ground radars at Hensoldt. “I am proud that we are able to offer the German Navy, together with Thales’ sensor technology and combat system, a comprehensive and truly European solution.”
Different variants of the TRS-4D radar are already in service in different versions onboard German Navy ships, among them the F125 frigates and the second batch of K130 corvettes and benefit from continuous product improvements and advantages with regards to spare part management and training.
Prior to Hensoldt’s F126 program announcement, Dutch shipbuilder Damen Naval announced a contract with Lockheed Martin for the delivery of Mk41 vertical launching systems (VLS) for the frigates, while Italy’s Leonardo revealed it would be supplying its OTO 127/64 LightWeight (LW) Vulcano naval guns for the ships.
