BERLIN, 26 June. - (ANA) - Germany’s Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, has terminated the troubled F126 frigate programme, citing significant delays, escalating costs, and risks associated with changing its prime contractor from Damen Naval to Rheinmetall. The project, originally intended to deliver six of the largest warships for the German Navy since WWII, had already consumed more than EUR2 billion and was on track to exceed EUR18 billion if continued.  

 

The government will instead acquire up to eight MEKO A-200 general purpose frigates from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. The decision represents a major setback for Rheinmetall’s naval ambitions and one of the most significant defence procurement reversals in recent German history.  

 

Meanwhile, in the UK, the government is beginning the process to look for a new engineering delivery partner, with GBP6 billion attached to the future programme. ​​​​​​- (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/26 June 2026 - - -