Lürssen To Build New AGI Intelligence Ships For German Navy

Saithan · Jun 28, 2021

German Navy's SIGINT-ELINT and reconnaissance ship

The new AGI ships will replaced the three in-service Oste-class ships. German Navy picture

With the aim of maintaining a flawless capability for sea-based signal intelligence, the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) signed a contract with Lürssen Werft GmbH on June 23, 2021, for the design and construction of three Class 424 AGI (Auxiliary, General Intelligence) ships.

Martin Manaranche 28 Jun 2021
Bundeswehr press release

Sea-based signal intelligence is an elementary prerequisite for a national analysis, assessment and command capability. It provides an indispensable and continuous contribution to an interdepartmental situation picture. The Bundeswehr is therefore procuring three new Class 424 AGIs (German Navy designation: fleet service ships) as well as a reconnaissance training and reference facility. The new boats are to replace the previous Oste-class ships: “Oker”, “Alster” and ,”Oste”.

The special requirements placed on the surface and underwater reconnaissance components in conjunction with specific military requirements such as self-protection, command and control capabilities and the need for extremely low-noise propulsion systems exemplify the high complexity of the project.

To ensure the most economical procurement possible, the new boats are based on civilian shipbuilding standards. The first of the three boats is scheduled to enter service in 2027, seamlessly replacing the Oker, Alster and Oste class 423 fleet service ships, which have been in service for over 30 years.

“We are pleased that, following the approval of the German Bundestag’s budget committee, the Federal Ministry of Defense has entrusted us with the responsibility of acting as general contractor for this important procurement project.”
“We will now immediately enter in the design phase and start discussions with potential partners from the shipyard and systems engineering industry. Through inter-ship cooperation, we want to combine the know-how and skills of the Lürssen Group shipyards with the capabilities of other shipyards in northern Germany in order to launch the urgently needed new service vessels in the fleet by integrating all necessary resources.”

Tim Wagner, managing director of Fr. Lürssen Werft GmbH & Co. KG.

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Naval News comments:

According to the financial plan approved by the Parliament, the successors to the three existing fleet service ships Oste, Oker and Alster, including a reconnaissance training and reference facility, will cost just under 2.1 billion euros. The technology of these warships, which will use modern electronics to detect enemy ship and aircraft movements, involves several so-called national key technologies.