The world's most modern conventional submarine launched as "Inimitable"

On 22 April 2024, the fourth submarine in the Type 218SG construction program was named at the thyssenkrupp Marine Systems shipyard in Kiel. The 250 invited guests included Boris Pistorius, Federal Minister of Defence, and Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security of the Republic of Singapore, as well as other high-ranking representatives from Singapore and Germany. The sponsor of the boat was Ms. Teo Swee Lian, sister of Teo Chee Hean.

Oliver Burkhard, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, emphasized: “The submarines built in this project are the most modern conventional submarines the world has ever seen. They belong to a new, state-ofthe-art generation and are also the largest submarines built in Germany to date. It is the result of hard work, commitment and the collaboration of many talented people that has led us to this success.”

The design of the Type 218SG submarines is based on a low signature. The air-independent propulsion system gives the boats a long underwater endurance. With a length of about 70 metres and a displacement of around 2,000 tonnes, they are currently the largest submarines ever built at Marine Systems. Following the "Invincible" in 2019 and the double launching of the "Impeccable" and "Illustrious" in December 2022, the fourth boat has now been launched. The "Inimitable" will be handed over from 2025 after intensive testing.

Following the naming ceremony, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and ST Engineering signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly enhance the capabilities of Singapore’s Type 218SG submarines over their operational lifetimes. It expands on the earlier Teaming Agreement signed in December 2022 to cover collaboration on selected technologies and applications in the areas of additive manufacturing (3D printing), maintenance training, data analytics and obsolescence management.

Support contract for F125 extended by five years
ARGE partners and the Bundeswehr Procurement Office rely on continuity in the support of the F125 and have confirmed their long-term cooperation

The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has extended the existing contract with ARGE F125 for the technical-logistical support (TLB) of the F125 frigate class for a further five years until 1 March 2029. The contract covers the four ships and the testing/training center (EZ/AZ F125) in Wilhelmshaven. The F125 consortium is made up of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems as the lead company and the NVL Group.

Following the signing, Dr. Oliver Juckenhöfel, Head of Operating Unit Surface Vessels at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, said: “The extension of the TLB F125 contract is a strong vote of confidence from the German customer and is proof that we have successfully proven ourselves as a system house.” The main purpose of the contract extension is to continue to support the Bundeswehr Procurement Office (BAAINBw) in maintaining the operational readiness of the F125 class ships in the face of constantly evolving requirements. “The F125 class will be the backbone of the German Navy’s operational commitments in the coming years. Ensuring the operational readiness of the ships together with the public client is an active contribution to the security policy of the Federal Republic of Germany, which we are happy to make,” Dr. Juckenhöfel added.

The frigate BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG is currently the first ship of the class to be deployed in UNIFIL operations off Lebanon (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon), where it is impressively demonstrating its capabilities. Patrick Buggenthin, Program Manager ARGE F125, emphasizes the importance of the contract: “The continuation of the TLB contract is confirmation for us that the good and successful cooperation of recent years is also valued by the German customer. We look forward to continuing to support the crews and the many servicemen and women as well as employees ashore in ensuring that the ships can perform their duties and contribute towards the operational readiness of the German Navy.”

Key data – BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG class F125

• Length: 149 m

• Beam: 18 m

• Top speed: > 26 kn

• Displacement: approx. 7,200 metric tons

• Complement: max. 190 (including up to 126 regular crew)

• Units built: 4

Four MEKO® 200 HN (Hellenic Navy) frigates have been in service with the Hellenic Navy since the mid-1990s. In order to extend the service life of the fleet, the Navy intends to commission a comprehensive modernization (mid-life upgrade). The original equipment manufacturers of the four MEKO® 200 HN frigates, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Thales, were approached for the modernization program.

Thales and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems have now joined forces to form a consortium for the planned modernization program. The consortium agreement was signed by both partners on December 12, 2023.

As part of the consortium, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is to be responsible for modernizing the ship’s platform. As a system house, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems will supply not only the design documents but also the communication systems. For this purpose, a subcontract is to be awarded to Hagenuk Marinekommunikation, a subsidiary of ATLAS ELEKTRONIK. Thales will in turn provide the combat system, with the combat management system TACTICOS as its foundation, for the MEKO® 200 HN frigates and assume the role of spokesperson in the partnership consortium based in Hengelo, the Netherlands.

Oliver Burkhard, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems: "With the joint contract for the modernization of the frigates, we are once again a strong partner for the Hellenic Navy. On the one hand, this further strengthens our order book and, on the other, underlines our role and strength as a maritime powerhouse that combines electronics, surface and underwater shipbuilding under one roof. A further milestone on our road to independence of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems."

thyssenkrupp Marine Systems will subcontract the ship platform modifications to a local Greek shipyard. The consortium will be the exclusive contact for the Hellenic Navy. It is expected that the order will be received in 2024.