German Navy

[kato]

The F124 frigate Sachsen (the one with the temporarily missing VLS) will have a 3D printer installed for testing before her next cruise next month.

While 3D printing on land has been tested for a couple years by the German Navy (and the rest of the Bundeswehr, including with units deployed in Afghanistan) what the Navy wants to test is how it handles under more extreme weather conditions on a moving ship. The Navy leadership considers that - working "in the middle of the North Atlantic in February" - a necessary step before it sees any real usability in it.

Supply chain issues, which the US Navy cites as reasons for introducing 3D printing on ships, are considered something that has to be evaluated separately - as the parts that can be produced would often be subsets of larger components that would have to be supplied anyway (or else can be jury-rigged like normal), and thus the printing capability would be of limited use.
It should be noted that while the USN has previously tested 3D printers on ships (of various size), actual deployment procured a couple weeks ago will be in the form of 40-foot containers stationed at naval bases instead.

 

[kato]

The Navy has formally inaugurated its new command center in Rostock which has been under construction since 2017 for about 66 million Euro and has been under planning for a decade.

The new command center will house the DEU MARFOR and MOC command staff and replaces Cold War facilities in Glückstadt which had been used by the Fleet Command since 1960. The move was for a long time seen as fairly controversial. The bunkers at Meierwik base in Glückstadt will remain in operation until the last elements of the move are completed, currently foreseen for 2025.

 

[kato]

Bayern continues with the borderline politically problematic stuff, this time in Japanese fashion. One might almost think it's intentional...

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1456907937742573570

The ships that this ceremony would be about are - presumably for reasons - not mentioned in the Tweets in either the English or the German version. The wreath-laying is for the crews of the WW2 commerce raider Thor and its supply ship Altmark/Uckermark.

 

[ngatimozart]

Bayern continues with the borderline politically problematic stuff, this time in Japanese fashion. One might almost think it's intentional...

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1456907937742573570

The ships that this ceremony would be about are - presumably for reasons - not mentioned in the Tweets in either the English or the German version. The wreath-laying is for the crews of the WW2 commerce raider Thor and its supply ship Altmark/Uckermark.

Whilst some may have a problem with it, I don't. They were sailors who lost their lives at war far from home. They should be remembered by their country's navy when it visits. Like it or not it's part of Germany's naval history.

 

[kato]

Whilst some may have a problem with it, I don't. They were sailors who lost their lives at war far from home. They should be remembered by their country's navy when it visits. Like it or not it's part of Germany's naval history.

And it could have been done very well without mentioning the explosion in the Tweet.

That grave marker there in the image, located at the Yamate Gaijin Bochi - the general foreign cemetary of Yokohama -, is simply marked "Resting Place of German Sailors" - completely without military context, and by language not tied to this specific event. I'm actually not sure whether it doesn't also contain remains from the German Naval Hospital Yokohama of 1878-1911, wouldn't surprise me given the location.

There are a number of similar sites in the country, mostly around the German POW camps of WW1. The military attache of the German Embassy does wreath-layings at some of these annually, including this one here (on German memorial day, which would be next sunday) - typically at the one at POW camp Bando though. Notably none of them are formal war graves acknowledged by the responsible German association.

 

[kato]

If anyone wants to mass-copy articles into a translation engine you might want to do it with this:

Annual Report of the German Navy Command 2021 (in German)

Since the report includes a number of yet not publicized information on future plans i'll be drawing on this for a number of posts likely.

• Chapter 1 = Outlook
  • Indo-Pacific and Arctic Sea geostrategic challenges (written by guest authors from SWP think-tank)
  • Piracy, global (recap of annual piracy report of Federal Police, Sea Department)
  • Maritime refugee routes, European seas
  • German Coastguard (40-page report, including all contributing agencies)
  • German Navy (26-page report)
• Chapter 2 = Global maritime trade development (34-page statistics)
• Chapter 3 = German merchant marine, maritime freight transport and domestic civilian shipbuilding (42-page statistics)

 

[kato]

from that source

F123 Brandenburg class :

• MLU for service life extension to 2035 was decided last year.
• Radar and CMS upgrade already known
• All missile effectors will be upgraded, planned outfit
  • RBS-15 Mk 3 replacing Harpoon
  • RAM Block 2B
  • ESSM Block 1 (yes, Block 1 - that's where they'll park them when everything else is upgraded to Block 2 and there's still missiles with a good shelf life)
• Sea Lynx will be retired in 2025. The frigates are not capable of carryin NH90 NFH Sea Tiger (note: as far as i know it would require significantly rebuilding the hangar doors). It will be evaluated whether it is possible to operate Sea Tiger from F123 as helicopter platforms within a taskgroup, i.e. as forward helo platforms for refueling and such.
• To offset the loss of an organic helicopter the frigates will have their organic ASW fit upgraded:
  • Mk46 torpedoes (2x2) to be replaced by MU90
  • New hull sonars
  • Towed Array active sonar to retain bi- and multistatic ASW
• Shipside automation systems will be "renewed"
• Upgrades are planned sequentially in smaller packages starting in 2022.

(the information page on this upgrade is followed by a 6-page article detailing the 5-month deployment of FGS Brandenburg in various missions as flagship of SNMG 2 entirely forward-based in Souda Bay from September 2020 to January 2021, written by her captain at the time)

 

[kato]

from that source (primarily)

K130 Braunschweig class :

• the sixth K130, FGS Köln, is currently in final outfitting and is planned to begin trials in 2022
  • the seventh K130, FGS Emden, will shortly be moved to final outfitting
  • FGS Köln is planned to be "operatively available" - for navy sea trials - in 2023
  • full delivery of all five additional units is planned for 2026
• the Navy retains the plan of ordering a third batch of five after 2026 to the same standard as the second batch
  • this third batch would replace the first batch as this would be cheaper than rebuilding the older corvettes to the same standard
  • financing of this replacement plan is rather doubtful under directives established in 2020
• main changes in the second batch are:
  • switching the radar to TRS-4D
  • integrating Atlas ADLiS joint multi-datalink system
  • updating the RAM launchers to RAM Block 2
  • Accomodation is expanded to 71 maximum (was 65 nominal for first batch, ships run with 58 core crew).
  • Official displacement for the second batch is 1965 tons (was 1840 tons for first batch).
• aviation
  • the second batch has a significantly larger hangar door for its UAV hangar, a point often criticized about the first batch as a limitation in selecting a possible system
  • the K130 corvettes remain available as forward helicopter platforms, primarily for refueling. In cross-decking exercises K130 corvettes have hosted SH-60s and NH90s.
  • the helicopter deck is equipped for conversion to minelaying with rails. The capability has been actively trained again in recent years, including laying minefields with multiple ships (2019 video).

Sea Falcon UAVs :

• Sea Falcon is the title for project VorMUAS (urgent marine unmanned aircraft system), which is mostly a test installation and may be replaced by other systems (nominally). Overall project cost is 80.3 million Euro, most of that for the pilot phase.
• Chosen system is Skeldar V-200 GER
  • first system (two drones) is undergoing trials onboard K130 corvette FGS Braunschweig (pilot phase)
  • second system (two drones) will be procured in serial phase, in addition to a land-based system (two drones) for training; also three further kits for basing the UAVs on other corvettes will be procured
  • concept is to enable distributing six drones across up to five (out of ten) corvettes plus the land trainer
• Design parameters
  • Primary deployment is to check radar contacts out to 40 nm range from the ship
  • as procured the system carries a EO payload
  • there is a significant reserve for additional "other payloads" (40 kg total)
  • VorMUAS is not armed and armament is not planned for any successor systems.
• Operational deployment:
  • During the pilot phase FGS Braunschweig is currently testing VorMUAS deployed as part of UNIFIL MTF448.

 

[kato]

The official route of FGS Bayern has been updated - once again.

Currently the ship is on its way from Tokyo, Japan to Busan, South Korea (originally planned: Incheon). From Busan it is currently planned to go "nonstop" (*) to Singapore, from there to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam and back south and through the straits on to Colombo, Sri Lanka and Mumbai, India. On the way back from there a refueling stop at Salaleh, Oman has been added in.

(*) it is somewhat doubtful, though possible that this 2,500+ nm leg will be done nonstop. The only leg of similar length so far was Diego Garcia to Perth. My personal hunch is a refueling or RAS by the USN at/near Okinawa.

 

[kato]

Gorch Fock is sailing for her initial post-shipyard cruise yesterday.

The core crew will initially sail the ship to Lisboa and from there to the Canary Islands to train handling the ship after its extensive refit themselves without cadets onboard.

A first group of cadets will come onboard on January 3rd and sail the ship to the Western Mediterranean. The cadets will switch for a new group in Malaga for a second training cruise in that area.

It is expected that Gorch Fock will return from this first training deployment on March 25th after having sailed about 10,000 nm.

 

[kato]

• Sea Lynx will be retired in 2025. The frigates are not capable of carryin NH90 NFH Sea Tiger (note: as far as i know it would require significantly rebuilding the hangar doors). It will be evaluated whether it is possible to operate Sea Tiger from F123 as helicopter platforms within a taskgroup, i.e. as forward helo platforms for refueling and such.

As a PS:

This evaluation has to be seen in the context of an intended future "teaming" of the 4 F125 and 4 F123 as pairs (1/1) in symmetric/asymmetric spectrum warfare escort taskgroups when necessary.

In this teaming the F125 would provide the taskgroup command, superior ASuW sensor fit and carry the helicopters, while the F123 would provide a superior ASW sensor fit, carry limited AAW (16 ESSM) for the taskgroup and establishes a second platform for the helicopters to refuel/rearm from in their operations.

 

[kato]

My personal hunch is a refueling or RAS by the USN at/near Okinawa.

And ... was about right, broadly.

Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan and the U.S. join for ANNUALEX 2021

Naval forces from Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan and the U.S. unite to conduct multilateral, multinational exercise ANNUALEX in the Philippine Sea, Nov. 21-30. Five international navies, to include

www.c7f.navy.mil

Bayern is taking part in ANNUALEX 2021 with the Carl Vinson CSG and Japanese, Australian and Canadian ships.

 

[kato]

Fassmer got the contract for the two 50m "Sea Trials, Coast" boats.

View attachment 48348
Image Rights: Fassmer GmbH & Co KG, declassified by PIZ AIN, use for editorial purposes permitted provided image credits are given.

The two ships will be assigned to the naval weapons trials agency WTD71, where they replace three older boats. WTD71 is housed at the Eckernförde naval base, which also hosts the 1st Submarine Squadron and the Naval Infantry Battalion.

WTD71 commissioned an add-on for the SVK class this month - a 23m pontoon called "Schönhagen" built by Abeking&Rasmussen that will replace the 51-year-old (!) vessel Y1689 Bums. Apparently the pontoon cost 9.3 million Euro.

Schönhagen is a non-self-propelled large pontoon - of probably around 300-400 tons displacement - that is built with a shock-resistant layout and carries a slightly raised platform on shock buffers on which up to four containers with equipment can be carried. The pontoon is intended for supporting in particular shock trials and other maritime explosives tests. It would carry the equipment for placing such a charge (incl. a crane) and would - from relatively close in - then act as a sensor platform observing explosions and - if required - be available as a on-site diver platform for assessment or UXO disposal.

In this type of operations it would be towed into position, operating unmanned and remotely operated by one of the SVK vessels.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1460675094553178112

WTD71 and nearby trials grounds regularly use (much) smaller pontoons modified inhouse for various purposes, such as as targets for shore-to-sea fire from the Putlos training area or e.g. as proving targets with radar reflectors when evaluating anti-ship missiles.

About a decade ago there were apparently tenuous plans at WTD71 to replace most of their trials boats with unmanned pontoons and other platforms and just buy a couple tugs to remotely operate them, but those plans were scratched in favour of proper boats. This shock-resistant pontoon is the only role where the original plans remained due to its specialized role.

 

[kato]

Spotted coincidentally:

The former F122 class frigates F208 Niedersachsen and F210 Emden are now up for sale through the Federal Government's VEBEG auction platform. Bidding is open until January 18th.

Both are being sold for demilitarization and scrapping to European or Turkish approved shipbreakers only, and demilitarization of the ships will be inspected by the Navy, for which the buyer has to pay travel costs (specifically this is about demolishment of Harpoon racks, NSSM launcher and torpedo tubes - looks like all other weapons were cannibalized). Both ships would have to be towed to the breaker.

VEBEG is also now currently selling several hundred tons of spare parts and support equipment for C-160 Transall aircraft, since the last one will be taken out of service this weekend.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Spotted coincidentally:

The former F122 class frigates F208 Niedersachsen and F210 Emden are now up for sale through the Federal Government's VEBEG auction platform. Bidding is open until January 18th.

Both are being sold for demilitarization and scrapping to European or Turkish approved shipbreakers only, and demilitarization of the ships will be inspected by the Navy, for which the buyer has to pay travel costs (specifically this is about demolishment of Harpoon racks, NSSM launcher and torpedo tubes - looks like all other weapons were cannibalized). Both ships would have to be towed to the breaker.

VEBEG is also now currently selling several hundred tons of spare parts and support equipment for C-160 Transall aircraft, since the last one will be taken out of service this weekend.

So the F208 Niedersachsen and F210 Emden are now to be sold 6 - 8 years after decommissioning. Is there a reason to wait so long for it? I can't believe that cannibalizing weaponsystems and other equipment like sensors and engines/propulsion take so many years, and corrosion will decrease the value of these ships.

 

[kato]

I can't believe that cannibalizing weaponsystems and other equipment like sensors and engines/propulsion take so many years

According to this lengthy article in magazine Marineforum (from last year, in German) the "spare parts recovery" was done "demand-oriented instead of volume-oriented" partly to optimize usage of space and workflows at the Navy Arsenal.

The remaining spare parts to recover in this case are mostly minor components of e.g. ship automatisation systems though since there were basically no other ships of their generation remaining and you can't buy those parts anymore either. Therefore they were only cannibalized for a specific component when one of the active ships would need that part, with all - at one point - five ships in the Arsenal looked through for one in the best condition.

There was also a delay since VEBEG effectively closed doors to prospective buyers wanting to inspect before buying (and for ships they'll definitely want to) for almost a year due to the pandemic.

As for corrosion, the ships won't make much money in the sale anyway. F209 Rheinland-Pfalz was sold in 2017 through VEBEG to a Turkish shipbreaker for 1 million Euro.

 

[kato]

(replacing two Navy-operated oil recovery vessels being retired 2020/21, haven't really found anything beyond that)

The two Navy-operated oil recovery vessels (Bottsand and Eversand) are not being retired.

Both ships were already previously owned by the Ministry of Transportation and operated "on behalf of them" by the Navy. Basically the Navy wanted to retire them, so their actual owner intervened and transferred the ships to the Ship Operations Center of the Coastguard instead.

Bottsand is intermediately being operated by the WSV Federal Waterways and Shipping Police Agency (and repainted in their livery for the Coastguard) since March 2021, for both ships there was a tender for operations from April 2022 which for Eversand - the second ship - was won by a civilian company. Both ships will remain stationed at Navy Base Kiel on the Baltic Sea, which co-hosts multiple other coastguard ships.

Oil Recovery as part of a wider maritime emergency plan is sort of big business in Germany - the Coastguard aside from these two ships also operates four larger "multipurpose" ships dedicated to the purpose (three of which it is replacing with 7000-ton, 100m-long new builds) for offshore operations, has four buoy tenders specifically equipped for similar situations and the five coastal states operate about a dozen further ships for inshore oil recovery operations. The state ships typically aren't purpose-built but older ships bought up and modified. One of them - for extreme-shallow-water operations - is actually a former Navy LCM.

There are regular large-scale exercises as training for this fleet btw, pretty much three per year with scenarios based around current incidents in the field worldwide. There was one in April for example that basically replayed an incident on the Canadian Pacific Coast only four weeks earlier.
Often these exercises also involve other federal agencies for cooperation training, e.g. for the one in April a survey ship of the Federal Hydrography Agency was deployed alongside three WSV-operated and four state-operated oil recovery ships; for an exercise in July they had the on-site commander flown in by a Federal Police helicopter (used for site recce) and winched down to one of the WSV ships, four of which on closing in on the incident site went to full NBC citadel mode. In June a smaller exercise with only four ships trained maneuvers with extended oil-sweeping arms within an offshore wind park.

 

[Zoomer]

Thyssenkrupp might shed naval business

German industrial conglomerate Thyssenkrupp is exploring divesting its Marine Systems (TKMS) business to facilitate consolidation in the fragmented European naval...

www.janes.com

Kato do you know anything about this?

 

[kato]

Kato do you know anything about this?

The board of Thyssenkrupp announced consolidating the company and divesting itself of business fields in which it has problems in February this year ahead of their stockholder meeting the next month. These fields are steel, elevator building and shipbuilding. Elevators was subsequently sold as a first field. The other two are under review.

If one reads a bit between the lines in later press statements their favourite option for shipbuilding (TKMS) would be to spin it off into an independent company with the state holding significant stock and possibly competitors buying in too. They did push this track fairly heavily around the time of the federal election, and with the SPD leading the government now this option got a bit more likely too.
The main problem with TKMS as a Thyssenkrupp subsidiary isn't losses by itself (they're making money), it is the ongoing change in investment and credit guidelines with banks that make defence an item detrimental to investment (other defence industry in Germany, and to a wider extent in Europe has the same problem). With TKMS a part of Thyssenkrupp this affects the parent company, hence why they seek it spun out separately to where they can state that they don't have a defence branch.

A decision on the matter will likely come in time for the next stockholder meeting next March.

 

[kato]

P.S. on Bottsand and Eversand:

Apparently the Navy was already running the two ships with only one crew (... of 5 civilians) since April 2020. The transfer of Bottsand rectified this at least in so far that Eversand for the year she's still with the Navy has her own crew. Eversand notably took part in at least two of the three major exercises this year.