Germany has laid the keel for the third Type 424 fleet intelligence vessel at Rheinmetall’s shipyard in Wolgast, several months ahead of schedule.
The keel-laying ceremony traditionally marks the start of the main shipbuilding process. During the event, a keel-laying plate with lucky coins was placed beneath the keel section.
The ceremony was attended by Federal Minister of Defense Boris Pistorius, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Minister President Manuela Schwesig, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, senior Bundeswehr representatives and industry and political officials.
The approximately 130-meter vessels are being built as reconnaissance platforms for maritime intelligence gathering and are designed to monitor and analyze the electromagnetic spectrum across land, air and sea.
The Type 424 vessels are being built at Rheinmetall’s Wolgast shipyard, with the second vessel being constructed in parallel. After completion of the shipbuilding work, the vessels will be towed to Rheinmetall’s Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg for final outfitting, commissioning and testing.
Pistorius said the new vessels are expected to begin entering service from 2029. He added that Germany’s current capability requirement calls for four fleet intelligence vessels, with three already under construction. He has already initiated preparations for a fourth vessel in consultation with the Chief of the German Navy and the Chief of the Cyber and Information Domain Service (CIR). The procurement will now proceed to a parliamentary vote.
The German Navy and CIR will operate the vessels, with CIR personnel using the onboard systems to collect and analyze information for Germany’s situational awareness.
The first three Type 424 vessels are intended to replace Germany’s existing Oste-class fleet service vessels. Construction of the first vessel began in February last year.