GERMANY

The three strong F124 Sachsen Class of Anti-Air Warfare (AAW) frigate represents a quantum leap in the German Navy’s post-Cold War development. Sister ships Sachsen and Hamburg are already in service, with the Hessen soon to follow. Though designated frigates they are perhaps more accurately destroyers. Their AAW capability revolves around the Thales APAR and SMART-L 3D radars, and SM-2 Block-IIIA (missile) combination. This allows for the type to perform its main duty of providing area air defence but also gives it the potential to undertake Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) duties. Though equipped with cutting edge systems the design is actually a development of the F123 Brandenburg hull, with improved stealth.

Some of the systems are also recycled from the decommissioned Lutjens Class destroyers. This should not lead to the assumption that the F124s are in any way inferior, for they can also comfortably handle the full range of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) and AAW tasks. The F124s have a high degree of survivability, due to the duplication and physical separation of systems via a ‘two island’ design principle. (For more on this class see WARSHIPS IFR January 2007).

The F125 is the next major warship project to be undertaken as part of German modernisation efforts, and it is envisioned an initial batch will replace four of the eight Bremen Class frigates, with a second batch to replace the remainder at a future date. The design goals that were taken into consideration for the F124 Sachsen Class and further developed in the K130 corvette, will also dictate the design of the F125 Class, with reduced acoustic, infrared, and radar signatures. Separation of vulnerable systems in the ‘two island’ principle as employed in the F124 will be an integral part of the design that will duplicate many of the sensors and weapons, or the means to control them. Developed by ARGE F125, a joint-venture Thyssen-Krupp and Lurssen, the F125 will be tasked with influencing events on land more so than current, and previous, German warships. Enhanced land attack capabilities and even non-lethal weapons (such as water cannon), will be fitted to fulfil this role. The specific land-attack armament will include a navalised Multiple Launched Rocket System (MLRS) and a 155mm gun based on the German Army’s PzH-2000 SPA. One of the F124 frigates, Hamburg, helped develop this concept prior to fully entering service.

There will also be facilities to support around 50 commandos. In keeping with this role it is likely the F125 Class will deploy globally in support of German defence policy. Therefore they will be designed to spend extended periods away from home, perhaps up to two years, and consequently at sea for more that 5,000 hours a year. This will be possible because of a combined diesel-electric and gas arrangement. This arrangement will reduce the number and size of engines, with power for the electric motors generated by medium-sized diesel generators. There will be facilities for two NH-90 helicopters to be embarked.

FRANCE & ITALY

The Horizon air warfare destroyer programme has had a tortured history, with Britain withdrawing, wildly fluctuating numbers to be built, work-share issues, financial issues and whole host of other problems. However, despite this the programme is now finally proceeding with two units for each navy being built and a further two per country being planned. Currently the Forbin and Chevalier Paul are fitting out for the French Navy, and are expected to be in service next year. The Andrea Doria is also fitting out for the Italian Navy, with an in-service date of next year, while the Caio Duilio is still under construction and expected to be in service by 2010.

The key to the Horizon’s effectiveness is the Aster 15/30 SAM, plus Astral and Alenia EMPAR radars combination. Though inferior to the T-45’s Sampson radar, the Horizon can still boast a radar capability that is very effective, and the Aster  missiles can comfortably deal with any envisioned threat. There will be slight differences in some of the other sensors and weapons fitted to ships of both countries but the core capabilities will remain the same. Though principally an anti-air warfare vessel the Horizon is well armed to deal with any surface (Exocet MM40 Block-III – France – and Teseo Mk-II – Italy), or subsurface threat (Eurotorp Mu-90). A Merlin (Italy), or NH-90 (France) will complete the armament package for the class, which will have overall capabilities unsurpassed by any current ship in the respective navies.

The Franco-Italian Fregate [Europeenne] Multi-Missions (FREMM) programme has had a rather more straightforward development than the Horizons, despite its own convoluted negotiations. Armaris (a DCN and Thales joint venture) and Italian partner Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (A Fincantieri and Finmeccania joint venture) are to design and build the ships, with two of the class ordered by each country so far. The FREMM frigates will form the backbone of the future French fleet, which is being completely reinvigorated. The FREMM (or Aquitaine Class in French service) will eventually be operated in large number (17 in total for France, if all options are exercised).

The class is very promising and looks set to be one of the most capable European frigate designs of coming years, even with the differences in sensors and armament between both countries ships. They are well armed with either eight Exocet MM40 Block-III, or Teseo Mk-II anti-ship missiles, and both Aster-15 and Scalp naval cruise missiles (the latter currently uncertain as a fit to the Italian ships). Air/surface search is to be handled by the very capable Thales Herkles 3D, and Alenia EMPAR radars. The ability to operate two of the best available maritime helicopters onboard – the Merlin and NH-90 – either as a straight pair, or one of each will give the FREMM frigates formidable flexibility. There is even an auxiliary propulsion unit under the forward part of the hull that not only improves manoeuvrability but, in case of total failure of the main propulsion system, can propel the ship out of the danger zone. The FREMM frigates will strengthen the French and Italian fleets, providing a vessel able to undertake, and be re-roled for, almost any task.