Production of the first Type 125 frigate for the German Navy got underway on 9 May with a steel-cutting ceremony at the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg. The four ships of the class are to be built by a consortium comprising ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Lürssen Werft. Delivery of the lead ship, to be named FGS Baden-Württemberg, in 2016.
The new ships have been designed for extended deployments of up to two years duration with a dual-crew rotational manning system being utilised by the German Navy for the first time. By remaining on station for much longer they will be more effective in ongoing crisis management operations. They can also support land operations with accommodation for up to 50 special forces with their own operations room. They will carry four 11m RIBs and two MH-90 helicopters.
