The U.S. has taken steps to export the AEGIS combat system for Germany’s future F127 AAW frigates to succeed Sachsen-class frigates. The U.S. Navy’s NAVASEA has released a document stating that F127 is among the candidates for the integration of the AEGIS combat system. AEGIS is utilised by destroyers of different countries, including the Arleigh Burke-class (The U.S.), Maya-class (Japan), and Sejong-the-Great-class (ROK).
The system, previously making use of AN/SPY-1 radars, has been updated with the introduction of the more capable AN/SPY-6 AESA radar. F127 frigates are likely to use the latter in addition to four smaller arrays if they indeed receive an AEGIS combat system.
The F127 frigate, based on an A-400 design, features 64 VLS cells, doubling the magazine’s size compared to the Sachsen-class 32 VLS. The idea to double the magazine can be related to observations and experiences from the Russo-Ukrainian War and the campaign against Houthi attacks in the Red Sea with mass missile and UAV attacks.
Additionally, two laser weapons on the bow and aft sides appear to be intended to perform close-in defence against UAVs and blind optics at longer ranges.
The vessels are planned to have a displacement of 10000 tonnes, making the frigate more of a destroyer than its given classification, in addition to strike-length VLS cells fit for SM-6 long-range air defence missiles and others.
