Rheinmetall to modernise F123 frigate

Rheinmetall has been awarded the contract to modernise the 143-meter-long frigate BAYERN at the end of the second quarter of 2026. The objective of the project is to ensure the operational readiness of the German Navy frigate, which entered service in 1996, until at least 2035 while adapting its capabilities to current operational requirements. The contract is valued in the mid-three-digit million euro range.

As part of the service life extension program key systems of the frigate will undergo comprehensive modernisation at Rheinmetall’s Neue Jadewerft shipyard in Wilhelmshaven until 2029. The work includes the replacement of the Combat Management System (CMS), the overhaul of essential shipboard engineering systems, and the modernisation of the radar sensor suite. In addition, the propulsion and drive systems will be overhauled, while key anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities will be upgraded. These measures will bring the F123-class frigate up to the latest technological standards and sustainably enhance its capabilities for future operations.

The contract highlights the strategic importance of Rheinmetall’s service business within the Naval Systems division. Long-term maintenance, modernization, and lifecycle support are integral elements of the division’s portfolio, ensuring the operational readiness of complex naval systems over decades.

More information can be found here.