Mar 25, 2011

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 !

6 comments:

  1. Is it possible that you forgot the S143A fast missle craft with 76 mm OTOm, 4 Exocet & 1 RAM. The class consists of ten boats.

    Cheers

    Stefan

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi,
    I am not totally sure. This class were not already withdraw from service ?
    Even by 2010 Ghana buy 2 of them !
    A link:
    http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=186997

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi,

    the ten Type 143 Albatross were decommissioned between the end 2004 and 2005. The 10 S-143A Gepard should still be in service

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi "Anonymous" (Stefan ?)
    You are right
    Fleet-review updated
    THANKS YOU ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dear Mike,

    I forgot to say: Thank you!

    Thank you for all the work you do for us all.

    Great job!

    Cheers, Stefan

    ReplyDelete
  6. LCUs in service are Type 520 (450-ton Barbe class), not Type 521 (110-ton LCM(8)). Sea Kings remain in service, possibly up to 2026. Walchensee and Ammersee coastal tankers remain in service, will probably be retired in coming years.

    Elbe class planned to be replaced by equal number of MZES type amphibious/multi-purpose logistics/transport/support ships (with well dock, large helo facilities etc) 2020-2025.
    K131 will be considerably larger than the two designs stated. Camcopters are not on order, and in fact not considered at all anymore.

    ReplyDelete