Future of the German Navy

Fewer and Bigger !

Cartography:
Of the entire german land aera, 2,4% (7,798 km2 (3,011 sq mi)) were of water (rivers/lakes).
German EEZ: 4,500 km2 In the Baltic Sea and 28 600 km2 In the North Sea.

Personnal Strenght: +/- 24 000
+/- 20 000 regular and +/- 3500 Conscript

+/- 15 Destroyers/Frigates (toward only 11 but bigger ships):
Up to 4 F-125
7000+ tons, 149 meters, land-oriented large frigates, intended to replace the entire Bremen (type 122) class frigate. All four to be commissioned by 2015-2019. With probable +/- 30 years of service, to be retired around 2045/2050.

3 Sachsen (F-124)
(Sachsen, Hamburg, Hessen), 5600 tons, 143 meters AAW frigate design. Commissioned by 2003/2006. With probable +/- 30 years of service, to be retired around 2030/2036.

4 Brandenburg (F123)
(Brandenburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Bayern, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern). 4900 tons, 138 meters multi-purpose frigate design. Commissioned by 1994-1996. With probable +/- 30 years of service, to be retired around 2024/2026. Likely to be replaced by fewer but larger (and more capable) warships........maybe replaced by 2 to 4 improved MEKO D 500/600 design ???....Wait & See

8 Bremen (F122)
(Bremen, Niedersachen, Rheinland, Emden, Koln,Karlsruhe, Augsburg, Lubeck). 3600 tons, 130 meters frigates. Commissioned by 1982-1990. Now all expected to be retired during 2010’s and partially replaced by only four Type 125 frigates.

5 (+6 ?) Corvettes:
5 Braunschweig (K130)
(Braunschweig, Magdeburg, Erfurt, Oldenburg, Ludwigshafen am Rheim). 1800 tons, 89 meters corvette design. This design experienced some early problems (gearing systems & so…). Commissioned by 2008/2011.

Up to 6 K-131 ?
Maybe expected by 2018+-2025 ?, very likely 2 main designs under study :
- MEKO® "CSL" (Littorals Warfare): 108m, 2750 t, >40 kts, steel hull, composite superstructure.
- MEKO® "FUSION": 84 m, 1500 t, >40 kts, composite hull & superstructure.
Future of this program was uncertain...

10 Fast Attack Crafts:
10 Gepard class (Type 143A)
(Gepard, Puma, Hermelin, Nerz, Nobel, Frettchen, Dachs, Ozelot, Wiesel, Hyane). 390 tons, 57 meters FAC design. Commissioned by 1982/1984, with probable +/- 30 year of life expected, to be retired by 2012-2019 and replaced by fewer but larger K-131 corvettes ?

4 (+2) Submarines
Up to 6 U-31 (Type 212)
(U-31, U-32, U-33, U-34). Two others units (U-35, U-36) were currently on completion stage. 1400/1800 tons, 56+ meters SSK. All six commissioned by 2005/2012, with +/- 30 years of life, to be retired around 2035/2040.

+/- 19 Mine-Hunters
5 Ensdorf class (type 352)
(Ensdorf, Auerbach, Hameln, Pegnitz, Siegburg). 650 tons, 54+ meters. Commissioned by 1989-1991.

5 Kulmbach class (type 333)
(Kulmbach, Uberhem, Passau, Laboe, Herten). 635 tons, 54+ meters. Commissioned by 1989-1991.

9 Frankenthal class (type 332)
(Bad-Bevensen, Bad-Rappenau, Gromits, Datteln, Dilingen, Homburg, Sulzbach, Fulda, Weilheim). 650 tons, 54+ meters. Commissioned by 1993-1998.

These 19 MCM ships, commissioned by 1989/1998 (with probably +/- 30 years of service), must be replaced around 2018/2030 by fewer (10 to 12 ?) and bigger ships (very likely a newer MEKO 2000 tons flexible ship)

Up to 2 Joint Support Ships (aka LHD or LPD ?):
By 2025, up to 2 large flexible ships was expected, some options:
- JSS 400 (> 20 000 tons, 400 troops, but not large supply onboard).
- JSS 400+ (< 20 000 tons, 400 troops, and large supply onboard). - JSS 800 (< 27 000 tons, 800 troops, likely pure LHD/LHA design). The current MRD/MHD 150/MHD 200 were likely a initial design study. This program is +/- uncertain, wait & see...
Small Amphibious:
4 LCM
2 LCU (type 521)

2 (+1) Replenishment ships
2 (+1) Berlin class (Type 702)
(Berlin, Frankfurt am Main). A third ship (Bonn) was ordered. 20 000 tons, 173 meters. The first two were commissioned by 2001/2002. The third ships (with some improvement), was expected to be commissioned by 2013+.

+/- 10 Support-Ships
2 Rhon class (type 704A)
(Rhon, Spessart). 14 000+ tons, commissioned by 1977. With probable 30+ years of service, to be retired very soon, by early/mid 2010’s.

2 Walchensee class (type 703)
(Ammersee, Tegemsee). 2000+ tons, 74 meters coastal tanker. Commissioned by 1967. Now no longer in service.

6 Elbe class (type 404)
(Elbe, Mosel, Rhein, Werra, Main, Donau). 3500 tons, 100 meters. Commissioned by 1993-1994. With probable 30 years of service, to be retired around mid 2020’s.

3 Intelligence ships
3 Oste class (type 422)
(Oste, Oker, Alster ), 3200 tons, 83 meters. Commissioned by 1988/1989, likely to be retired by late 2010's/mid 2020's.

Tugs
2 Wangerooge (type 722)
(Wangerooge, Spiekeroog, Langeoog, Baltrum, Juist), 800 tons, 52 meters. Commissioned by 1968/1971. To be retired soon...

Naval aviation +/- 2000
Helicopters:
+/- 22 Sea-Lynx Mk 88
+/- 21 Sea-King Mk 41 (no longer in service)

Aircrafts:
8 P-3C Orion (Ex-Dutch)
2 Do-288 LM
6 Camcopter S-100 UAV in order

The German Navy, after an initial sharp reduction after the end of the Cold-War (1991-2000), is undergoing a further profound and deeply reduction of its forces. Newer Warships are fewer, but larger, for overseas deployements...

Next fleet review/editorial: Future of the Argentinian Navy.

As usual, It may be that in my opinion, I forgot programs ? (or made few mistakes ?, especially for the auxiliary and smaller coast-guards ships), then said it ! Feel free to comment and give your opinion !