The Baden-Württemberg frigate, the first unit of the F125 class built by TKMS, officially entered service in the German Navy, during a ceremony on June 17, 2019. But is this good news? The 4 frigates of the F125 class are imposing vessels, 150 m long and weighing 7200 tonnes. They are intended to replace the 8 F122 Bremen frigates dating from the 80s, while providing an important technological boost to the German Navy, making it possible to reduce the crew from 200 men to 120 on the new building, thanks to a high level of automating.
But, beyond the division by 2 of the number of units, the German authorities designed the Baden-Württemberg for exclusive use in low intensity theaters. Thus, the ships only carry, in terms of anti-aircraft defense, two very short-range RAM systems, only allowing the ship to be protected if it is targeted. They do not, moreover, have any anti-submarine warfare capability, although this was the main mission of the Bremen. Finally, with the exception of their 127mm cannon, the F125s have no land strike capability. In fact, with the exception of its 8 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, which must be quickly replaced by Norwegian RBS15s, and its large hangar allowing it to accommodate 2 medium NH90 helicopters, these ships have no capacity to escort major ships, primary mission of NATO frigates, especially as the power of the onboard engines limits the speed of the vessel. On the other hand, there is no shortage of non-lethal weapons, such as water cannons...
An architecture which is reminiscent of that of the LaFayette class Light Furtive Frigates of the French Navy, whose lack of armament has been repeatedly denounced, and which are currently being modernized to integrate sonar hull, and therefore have a minimum anti-submarine warfare capability.
We cannot, therefore, help but notice the anachronism which governs the design of the new German frigates, having in no way taken into consideration the evolution of threats in Europe and in the world over the last 10 years. In addition, the lack of power on board will necessarily hinder possible developments aimed at correcting the defects of the buildings. Whether voluntary or fortuitous, this lack of discernment on the part of the German authorities is not reassuring, the country deploying treasures of persuasion to become the pivot of European Defense, while it has clearly not a coherent perception of the risks and threats which now target the old continent.
