The second of three new scout ships for the German Navy was laid down at the Peene shipyard in Wolgast. The 130 meter long fleet service vessel will be equipped with the latest sensor technology and will be used for electronic reconnaissance and information gathering.
“The construction progress of this ultra-modern reconnaissance vessel is several months ahead of the original schedule and thus marks an important milestone in the entire project. This project represents the high technological quality and innovative strength in Germany,” said Tim Wagner, managing director of the Naval Vessels Lürssen (NVL) shipbuilding group.
Jochen Schulte, State Secretary at MV’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, Infrastructure and Tourism, added: “With state-of-the-art fleet service vessels, the Peene shipyard once again shows that it is a very strong partner of German naval shipbuilding. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania underlines the importance of the maritime industry’s location – with good employment and high regional added value.”
The fuselage was assembled in Lemwerder
The first service vessel of the new fleet was laid down at Wolgast in February. The first front section will be moved to the Lürssen shipyard in Lemwerder in Lower Saxony at the end of this year and the second is expected in the second half of 2026. The entire fuselage is assembled there. These ships have a displacement of up to 4,000 tons. They have a driving crew of about 50 people as well as a reconnaissance team of the same size.
The three fleet service ships are essential for the fulfillment of the mission, in particular for reconnaissance in the electromagnetic spectrum, explained Major General Jürgen Setzer, who is deputy inspector of cyberspace and information (CIR) and commander of the CIR force.
Ship deliveries are planned to start in 2029
The laying of the keel is traditionally considered the symbolic beginning of actual shipbuilding. The highlight of the ceremony is the placement of lucky coins on the keel laying plate. Based on previous information, the new ships will replace the existing fleet of service ships starting in 2029, which have been used for more than 30 years.
Germany’s largest arms company, Rheinmetall, wants to take over NVL, owned by the Bremen-based Lürssen group. Lastly, approval from antitrust authorities is still missing. “The planned change of ownership opens up broad opportunities for additional investment and long-term strengthening of maritime technology in our country,” said Foreign Minister Schulte.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251119-930-314579/1
