There is lots to report from Damen Naval’s F126 project. The first notable fact is that, on June 19th, the project entered its fourth year of activity. After securing the contract for the design and construction of four multi-purpose frigates from the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) in 2020, the past three years have been spent establishing the critical processes required by the client, signing contracts with suppliers and making headway on the vessel design and engineering.

Project Director Frank Verhelst. Project Director Frank Verhelst.

“We are three years down the road of this extensive project,” says F126 Project Director Frank Verhelst, “and we are proud to say that we are on schedule. It hasn’t been easy: we have faced – and are still facing – numerous challenges coming from different directions and all at once, but we are finding our way. This has called for huge efforts from our teams based in Vlissingen, Schiedam, Hamburg and Romania. I would like to thank them for their commitment to this once-in-a-lifetime project.”

Besides working on their internal processes, the F126 team is also paying attention to organising activities to boost the momentum with its external partners. This year’s events include:

  • German yards visit
    In March, members from Damen’s engineering department visited Peene Werft in Wolgast and German Naval Yards in Kiel (a reminder: the four frigates will be built at three German yards, the third yard being Blohm+Voss in Hamburg). The purpose of the trip was for all stakeholders to get to know their counterparts better. “It was the perfect opportunity for our planning team to present our way of working regarding logistics and planning,” says Frank, “as well as a chance for us to learn more about the specifics of how our German partners work.” Further meetings and workshops are scheduled to take place throughout the year.
The F126 team is organising activities to boost the momentum with its external partners. The F126 team is organising activities to boost the momentum with its external partners.
  • Thales NL Visit
    Also in March, a group of Damen specialist to Thales NL in Hengelo to learn more about the systems that Thales is working on for the F126 project. “Thales had organised an engaging and interesting programme for us,” continues Frank. “This included presentations about their combat management system TACTICOS and tours of their production facilities.”
  • First Industrial Training
    At the beginning of May, Damen Naval held its first training course for members of the German Navy. This three-day course was the first in what will be more than two hundred industrial training courses that will follow in the years ahead. The content of this first course encompassed a broad scope of subjects ranging from ‘Weapons & Platform Systems’ and ‘Mission Modules’, to ‘Land-Based Training’ and ‘Automation’. The next course (which will be an in-depth seven-day programme presenting an overview of the F126 ‘Einsatzsystemen’) is scheduled for November.
  • Continued contact with German stakeholders
    The F126 project’s progress also means that the role of Damen Naval Germany’s office in Hamburg is increasing. On June 14th the German team organised a breakfast meeting for external stakeholders in Berlin. “The purpose of this event was not only to strengthen our ties with the project’s German partners, but also to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the establishment of the German Navy,” says Damen Naval Germany Managing Director Magiel Venema. This event demonstrates just part of the role that Damen Naval’s Hamburg office contributes to the project, acting as the project’s ‘German hub’, facilitating efficient and effective lines of communication with the partners such as shipyards, suppliers and the German Navy. The function also includes more ‘symbolic’ events such as the placing of a model of an F126 frigate in an exhibition in Hamburg’s International Maritime Museum. “This is a world-renowned maritime museum – the fact that they are displaying a model of ‘our’ F126 frigate shows how significant this project is,” adds Magiel.
Magiel Venema, Managing Director Damen Naval Germany. Magiel Venema, Managing Director Damen Naval Germany.
  • Mock-up testing of special forces semi-inflatable craft
    Between 22 and 26 May, testing of a full size model of the FRISC (Fast Raiding, Interception and Special forces Craft) took place at the Eckernförde naval base in Germany. Part of Damen Naval’s contract with the German Navy is to deliver twelve special forces vessels; UK-based Marine Specialised Technology Limited has been contracted to supply this scope. These semi-inflatable vessels carry out, for example, boarding operations and special forces tasks.

Mock-up testing such as this takes place in the early phase of detailed design, serving to help stakeholders visualise the design with all its necessary functions. As such, this is a useful method to minimise risk and to identify areas for optimisation of subjects like storage of equipment and ammunition boxes and improvement of the ergonomics. Any design changes can be made during the detailed engineering and implemented relatively easily and cost-effectively before production of the boats begins.

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