Thales and Damen Ink €1.5B Deal for Advanced Battle Management and Communication Systems in German Frigates
The Thales Group, alongside Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding, has secured a €1.5B agreement to implement battle management and communication systems aboard the German Navy’s MKS 180 class frigates.
The firms reportedly contended with Bremen-based Luerssen Shipyard and German ThyssenKrupp, as well as German Naval Yards collaborating with Britain’s BAE Systems.
This agreement encompasses the delivery of the Thales Mission and Combat System, which features the advanced Tacticos Combat Management System and the AWWS (Above Water Warfare System) Fire Control Cluster. The contract entails four ship systems, logistical support, and various land-based testing and training facilities, along with an option for one or two additional vessels, as per reports.
The AWWS is a combat suite designed to assist ship crews in countering and neutralizing intricate saturation attacks by perpetually assessing and enhancing the tactical environment and resource deployment. It will be integrated with the Active Phased Array Radar (APAR) Bl2, the upgraded model of Thales’ AESA multifunction radar. In 2019, Thales engaged in an AWWS development agreement for the new M-frigates intended for the Belgian and Dutch Navies.
The inaugural vessel of the MKS 180 class is expected to be operational by 2028, marking a programme duration of over a decade.
“As a collaborator in the MKS 180 initiative, Thales Deutschland not only enhances the German value-added component significantly, but also brings extensive experience in European partnerships and established systems expertise. This initiative will foster new, high-quality employment opportunities in Germany, all within a benchmark framework of European defense collaboration. We are also committed to sustaining the operational readiness of the German Navy at the foremost level within the alliance,” stated Dr. Christoph Hoppe, CEO of Thales Deutschland.
