- Sachsen class frigate
The F124 Sachsen class is
Germany 's latest class of highly advanced air-defensefrigate s. The design of the Sachsen class frigate is based on that of the F123 Brandenburg class but with enhanced stealth features intended to deceive any opponent's radar and acoustic sensors and incorporate also the advanced multifunction radar APAR as well as theSMART-L long-range radar which is claimed to be capable of detecting stealth aircraft and stealth missiles. Although designated as frigates, they are in capability and size comparable todestroyer s.With 2.1 billion
euro s for only three ships, this was one of the most expensive ship building programs of theGerman Navy . They are similar to the DutchDe Zeven Provinciën class frigate s. Both the Sachsen class and the De Zeven Provinciën class frigates are based on the use of a common primary anti-air warfare system using the StandardSM-2 and Evolved Sea Sparrow medium range SAMs.In June 1996 the German government contracted for three ships with an option on a fourth that was provisionally to have been named as the "Thüringen", but the option for this fourth ship was not taken up.
The F124 class frigates are larger and much more capable in all aspects than the
Lütjens class destroyer s, which they replaced.Images
Hamburg Harbour List of ships
All three vessels form part of the "2. Fregattengeschwader" ("2nd Frigate Squadron") based in
Wilhelmshaven .See also
*"De Zeven Provinciën" class frigate NED
*"F125" class frigate GER
*"Brandenburg" class frigate GER
*"Lütjens" class destroyer GERExternal links
* [http://www.marine.de/01DB070000000001/CurrentBaseLink/W2698K7E293INFODE Fregatte SACHSEN-Klasse] (in German) - @ Marine (official homepage of the German Navy)
* [http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/f124/ SACHSEN CLASS] @ naval-technology.com
* [http://www.hansa-online.de/print.asp?artikelID=274 Fregatte "Sachsen" (F124)] (in German) @ hansa-online.de
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