First Class to Implement ‘Intensive Use’
The German Navy’s SACHSEN-ANHALT, an F125-class frigate, left the shipyard in Hamburg on 22 February for scheduled in-port trials. The ship’s technical systems and equipment, including its propulsion system, handling characteristics and technical operations will be tested over a two-week period, during which it will sail via the river Elbe to the North Sea before returning to Hamburg after completing the test programme.
In addition to technical specialists from German defence procurement agency BAAINBw, a testing team from the ARGE F125 consortium and employees of other companies involved, members of the future naval crew are also on board. Following the BADEN-WURTTEMBERG and NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN, the SACHESN-ANHALT is now the third of the F125-class frigates to take to sea.
The completely redesigned F125-class ships have an extremely high degree of automation with approximately 28,000 electric devices, permitting a significantly smaller crew size compared with previous frigate classes. At the same time, they are capable of remaining in their area of operation for up to two years. The newly developed ships are thus the first to implement the so-called ‘intensive use’ principle. In addition to the high level of automation, this is also made possible by a multiple-crew strategy that enables the entire crew to be swapped out during deployment. With sanitary facilities (including shower) in each cabin, a small gym and even internet connections, the ships meet the demands of modern crew members.
The ARGE F125 consortium comprises thyssenkrupp Marine Systems as the lead company and Fr. Lürssen Werft in Bremen. The pre-fitted bow sections were manufactured at the Fr. Lürssen Werft shipyards in Bremen and Wolgast. Construction of the stern sections, the joining of the two sections and further fitting out is being carried out at Blohm+Voss Shipyards in Hamburg under the direction of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.
