Saarland-class Frigate

The F126 Saarland-class (formerly MKS-180 or Mehrzweckkampfschiff 180) is a planned frigate class intended to replace the Bremen and Brandenburg class frigates in the German Navy. The first ship is planned to enter service in 2027.

Specifications

• Type: Multirole Frigate
• Service Period: 2027-
• Characteristics:
  • Length: 544 feet 7 inches (166 meters)
  • Beam: 68 feet 10 inches (21 meters)
  • Draught: 19 feet 8 inches
  • Displacement: 9,900 tonnes
• Crew: 110 + 70 troops
• Propulsion:
• Range: 4,000 nautical miles (7,403 kilometers) at 18 knots (33.34 km/h)
• Speed: 30+ knots (55.56+ km/h)
• Sensor Suite:
  • APAR Blk.2 X-Band Multifunction Radar
  • TRS-4D C-Band Air/Surface Search Radar
  • Gatekeeper IR/TV System
  • Mirador Mk.2 EOTS
• Countermeasures:
  • Rohde & Schwarz KORA 40 communications and radar ESM
  • ELINT systems and facilities
• Armament:
  • 1 x 127mm/64-caliber Otobreda naval guns
  • 1 x Mk.41 VLS (fires RIM-162 ESSM)
  • 2 x 4-cannister AShM Lanuchers (fires Naval Strike Missiles)
  • 2 x 21-cell Mk.49 launchers (fires RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles)
• Aircraft Carried: 2 x NHIndustries NH90 Sealion maritime helicopter

Unit Run

• BMS Saarland (F227) - under construction
• BMS Niedersachsen (F228) - planned for construction
• BMS Bremen (F229) - planned for construction
• BMS Hannover (F230) - planned for construction
• BMS Ostfriedland (F231) - planned for construction
• BMS Helgoland (F232) - planned for construction