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View Full Version : The German Navy's Baden-Wurttemberg class Type 125 (F125) frigate



AdamG
12-25-2017, 07:12 AM
The German Navy's Baden-Wurttemberg class Type 125 (F125) frigate sure doesn't look like a frigate. The vessel displaces a whopping 7,200 tons, making it more destroyer sized, but its mission and armament are far from that of a top-end surface combatant. Even the ship's crew size, concept of operations, and the way sailors interact with the vessel's systems are unique. And depending on who you ask, the whole idea behind the controversial F125 frigate program is either one of genius based in stark reality or a largely illogical, misguided, and wasteful mess of an endeavor.
http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/16920/the-curious-case-of-germanys-massive-new-but-relatively-toothless-type-125-frigates

But wait, it get's even better.


Just weeks ago we told the story of Germany's puzzling Baden-Wurttemberg class Type 125 (F125) frigate program. Not only did we discuss the ship's odd mission and design features, but we also highlighted some of the troubling post-delivery issues with the lead ship in the class. These problems include a persistent list to starboard and the fact that the ship is dramatically overweight, which would limit its performance, increase its cost of operation, and most importantly, negatively impact the Deutsche Marine's ability to add future upgrades to the somewhat sparsely outfitted vessel.

Now the German Navy has officially declined to commission the vessel and will be returning it to Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamberg. The decision to do so was based on a number of "software and hardware defects" according to German media reports. The noted software deficiencies are of particular importance because these destroyer-sized vessels will supposedly be operated by a crew of just 120-130 sailors—just half that of the much smaller Bremen class frigates they replace—continuously for months at a time. On top of that, the design's reliability is paramount as the four ships in the class are supposed to deploy far from German shores for up to two years at a time.
http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/17185/the-german-navy-has-decided-to-return-their-new-frigate-to-the-ship-store-this-Christmas

AdamG
12-28-2017, 08:00 PM
Might as well use this thread for all of the German Navy's woes.


Germany has a submarine problem. During a test dive in October, the Deutsche Marine's U-35 struck something (probably a rock) with one of its four "X-rudders," the steering planes on its rear fins. The damage required the submarine to be towed back to a shipyard in Kiel for repairs—where it joined three other German navy submarines currently drydocked. The U-35 was the Deutsche Marine's only working submarine prior to the collision. The remainder of the German submarine fleet is in port at the German naval base in Eckernförde—waiting for dry docks in Kiel to open up.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/12/das-boot-ist-kaputt-german-navy-has-zero-working-subs/

AdamG
12-28-2017, 08:01 PM
Argentine police have raided navy shipyards as a probe into repair irregularities deepens. One of the two German companies implicated in the sub's repairs, Ferrostaal, has also had its local offices searched.
http://www.dw.com/en/argentina-submarine-police-raid-navy-and-german-company-offices/a-41883651