Rheinmetall has been awarded a contract worth several hundred million euros to carry out a comprehensive modernisation of the German Navy’s F123 Brandenburg-class frigate BAYERN, marking one of the most significant naval life-extension programmes currently underway in Germany.

The project forms part of the German Navy’s broader effort to maintain the operational effectiveness of its surface fleet while ensuring that key combat platforms remain capable of meeting evolving operational requirements well into the next decade. Commissioned in 1996, the 143-metre-long frigate is expected to remain in service until at least 2035 following completion of the extensive upgrade programme.

The modernisation work is being undertaken at Rheinmetall’s Neue Jadewerft shipyard in Wilhelmshaven, where the vessel has already entered the initial phase of the programme. Major onboard equipment is currently being removed before the ship is transferred to dry dock for the principal refurbishment activities. The programme is scheduled for completion by 2029.

A central element of the upgrade is the installation of a new Combat Management System (CMS), which will significantly enhance the ship’s ability to integrate sensors, weapons and command-and-control functions into a modern digital combat architecture. The replacement of the CMS is expected to improve situational awareness, decision-making and interoperability with other German and NATO naval assets.

The project also includes a comprehensive overhaul of essential engineering systems throughout the ship, together with the modernisation of its radar sensor suite. These improvements will enhance the frigate’s surveillance capabilities while increasing system reliability and reducing long-term maintenance requirements.

Propulsion and drive systems will undergo extensive refurbishment to ensure continued operational availability during the vessel’s extended service life. In parallel, Rheinmetall will upgrade key anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities, maintaining the F123 class as an effective platform for submarine detection and maritime security operations. The Brandenburg-class frigates were originally designed primarily for escort missions and anti-submarine warfare, roles that continue to be highly relevant in today’s increasingly contested maritime environment.

According to Rheinmetall, the programme will bring the BAYERN to current technological standards while substantially improving its operational performance and readiness for future deployments. Rather than replacing the platform, the life-extension approach enables the German Navy to preserve valuable capabilities while bridging the period until next-generation surface combatants enter service.

The contract also highlights the growing importance of Rheinmetall’s Naval Systems division, whose portfolio increasingly focuses not only on new shipbuilding but also on long-term maintenance, modernisation and lifecycle support for complex naval platforms. Such programmes have become an essential component of European naval procurement strategies as many fleets seek to maximise the operational life of existing vessels amid rising defence budgets and increasing security demands.

Commenting on the contract, Tim Wagner, Chief Executive Officer of Rheinmetall’s Naval Systems division, stated that the company is fully focused on delivering the project on schedule. He highlighted the extensive experience of the Neue Jadewerft shipyard in the maintenance and modernisation of naval vessels, particularly frigates, as well as its expertise in integrating complex maritime systems. Wagner also emphasised the close cooperation between Rheinmetall, its industrial partners and the German Navy as a key factor in ensuring that the upgraded vessel will be delivered on time and to the required operational standards.

The BAYERN modernisation represents another important investment in Germany’s naval capabilities, ensuring that the F123 class remains a credible and effective component of the German Navy’s surface fleet while supporting NATO maritime operations for at least another decade.