The US State Department has given the green light for a prospective sale to Germany worth $3.5 billion, which includes Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) Block I and Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIC missiles. This sale will significantly enhance Germany’s future F127 air defense frigate fleet.
Germany’s request encompasses a substantial order of up to 173 SM-6 Block I and 577 SM-2 Block IIIC missiles, along with vital equipment such as MK 21 and MK 13 Vertical Launch System canisters for the storage and launch of the missiles. The foreign military sale package will also include missile and support test equipment, parts, and essential engineering, integration, and test materials necessary for missile production. In addition, logistics and life-cycle sustainment support will be part of the deal.
According to the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency, this proposed sale aims to enhance Germany’s capability to tackle both current and future threats. The integration of these advanced missiles will enable the upcoming Aegis Weapon System-equipped F127 class surface combatants to offer an enhanced air and missile defense posture, strengthening Germany’s deterrent capacity against regional strategic competitors. Furthermore, it will facilitate greater interoperability with US and allied naval forces in countering a wide array of maritime threats.
RTX has been designated as the primary contractor for this sale, though no offset arrangements have been suggested at this time.
The SM-6 missile, also known in the US Navy as the RIM-174 Standard Extended Range Active Missile, boasts a versatile design capable of executing multiple mission types. Developed by Raytheon, it stands out as the only missile capable of performing anti-air and anti-surface missions, as well as engaging in ballistic missile defense and sea-based terminal intercepts. With an effective range exceeding 200 kilometers (124 miles) and a top speed nearing Mach 3.5 (2,685 miles/4,322 kilometers per hour), the SM-6 is capable of engaging targets well beyond radar horizons.
On the other hand, the SM-2 Block IIIC is the latest iteration of the SM-2 family and promises considerable upgrades over its predecessors, enhancing its ability to engage various target types such as anti-ship cruise missiles and tactical aircraft. This upgrade incorporates a dual-mode seeker that merges both semi-active and active guidance, along with a new dorsal fin and a thrust-vectoring jet-tab assembly to refine trajectory control. The development of this missile is expected to reach completion by September 2031.
The introduction of these missiles will reinforce the air defense capabilities of the F127 frigates, slated to enter service in the mid-2030s. German shipbuilders NVL Group and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems are set to collaborate on the production of the F127-class frigates. These new ships will replace the existing F124 Sachsen-class vessels that have been in service since 2003.
The upcoming F127-class frigates will utilize the design of thyssenkrupp’s MEKO A-400 Air & Missile Defense platform, integrating the Aegis combat management system alongside the advanced AN/SPY-6(V)1 radar suite. Germany intends to acquire five of these frigates, with the potential for a sixth, and discussions are in place to possibly expand the fleet to eight vessels. Additionally, aside from the Standard-series interceptors, the 10,000-ton frigates will be equipped with Naval Strike Missiles, 3SM Tyrfing anti-ship missiles, and may also incorporate Tomahawk Block V land-attack cruise missiles subject to approval.
