Swedish defense company Saab has received a contract for the supply and integration of combat systems for four MEKO A-200 DEU-class frigates, valued at approximately $900 million (SEK 8.7 billion).
The agreement was concluded with German prime contractor TKMS, with deliveries planned for 2029–2032.
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The contract covers the supply and integration of composite superstructures, 9LV combat systems — including the Combat Management System (CMS), which integrates all sensors, communications equipment, and other systems to serve as the ship's command centre — and a Fire Control System (FCS).
The frigates will also be equipped with Sea Giraffe 4A Fixed Face and Sea Giraffe 1X radars, as well as passive sensors. As Saab President and CEO Micael Johansson noted, these deliveries will significantly enhance the German navy's capabilities against air, underwater, and surface targets.
As a reminder, the MEKO A-200 DEU frigates emerged as an emergency solution for Germany's Navy following the problems with the F126 frigate programme — ships that were to have been the largest vessels built for the German Navy since the Second World War.
Those super-frigates also turned out to be super-expensive. Between project difficulties, delays, and Rheinmetall's price demands after it was brought in to rescue the programme, the estimated cost of the F126s climbed to €18 billion for six hulls — prompting Germany to officially cancel them.
The MEKO A-200 DEU represents a considerably cheaper alternative — preliminary figures suggest under €12 billion for eight ships — though also a simpler one. The option had been under consideration since at least the beginning of the year, as the problems with the super-frigates deepened.
While the initial plan envisaged buying eight MEKO frigates, the order was subsequently reduced to four without explanation. It has since emerged, however, that the option to order a further four remains in place.
To ensure the MEKO programme does not repeat the fate of the F126, Germany is imposing tight controls on procurement and production — including quarterly progress reports and mandatory approval for any additional expenditure that arises.
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