German Navy christens 2nd K130 Batch II corvette Emden

The second ship in the second batch of German Navy K130 corvettes Emden was christened at Blohm+Voss’ shipyard on 4 May.

In October 2019, NVL started the construction of the second ship in this batch for the German Navy. The vessel Emden is also the seventh K130 (Braunschweig-class) corvette.

The first five units were commissioned between 2008 and 2013 while a contract for the second batch of five units was awarded in September 2017 to a consortium composed of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, German Naval Yards Kiel and Lürssen Werft, who serves as prime contractor.

Another consortium, named FüWES K130 will deliver improved combat systems, and set up and deliver a test and training center in Wilhelmshaven.

A decision on the acquisition of additional ships in the class was made because of the German Navy’s increased scope and tempo of operations. Another reason was the delay in the MKS 180 multi-purpose warship project.

The 90-meter ships are designed for operation in coastal waters, augmenting the capabilities of fast attack boats and frigates. They are equipped with two 27 mm Mauser MLG27 remote-controlled, fully-automatic cannons, and one OTO Melara 76 mm gun.

The corvettes also feature a helicopter landing deck and use the Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) – guided naval missile for close-in defense against anti-ship missiles, aircraft, helicopters and surface threats.