In the design of sea ** boats in the 21st century, the F-125 and F-126 frigates of the German Navy have caused a lot of discussion. These two types of ships have attracted attention due to their significant design features and high cost. The F-125 frigate, with a displacement of 7,000 tons and a limited armament, was once rejected because of problems in sea trials. And the F-126 type frigates, as successors to the F-125, seem to be in some respects more striking in their design.
The full load displacement of frigates of the F-126 type reached 11000 tons, which exceeds the standards of many modern destroyers. Despite this, its armament configuration still appears inadequate, especially in terms of vertical launch systems (VLS). Compared to the F-125, the F-126 added 16 cells of the MK-41 VLS in front of the bridge, which was a noticeable improvement and allowed it to carry up to 64 ESSM anti-aircraft missiles. Although this configuration appears insufficient in tonnage, it at least has a significant increase in combat effectiveness.
In terms of other ** systems, the F-126 is equipped with a 127mm naval gun, two quadruple Norwegian NSM anti-ship missile launchers, a 21-mounted Ram near-air missile launcher and two 27mm remote-controlled cannons. The NSM missile is distinguished by its lightweight design and ** characteristics, and although its warhead weight and range are not outstanding compared to other conventional light anti-ship missiles, its performance is still recognized by the US Navy.
The radar system of the F-126 is also quite distinctive, using a dual-band active phased array radar, but its detection range is relatively short. The design of this radar seems to be a combination and refinement of the radar of the previous model.
Regarding the controversy over the armament configuration, the German Navy proposed the concept of a modular design, claiming that this design allows for the rapid replacement of different ** modules as needed. However, this modular design is not new in the first design, and is even seen by some as a cover for the lack of armament.
In terms of cost, both the F-125 and F-126 are much higher than similar ships in other countries. The lead ship of the F-125 was rejected due to quality issues, while the F-126 is expected to be higher. These factors led to widespread doubts about the shipbuilding capabilities of the German Navy.
Overall, the controversy over the design and cost of the F-125 and F-126 frigates makes them one of the most controversial examples of sea boats of the 21st century. The story of these two types of ships reflects the challenges and complexities in the development of modern naval equipment.