Germany Extends Bayern Frigate’s Service Life With Major Rheinmetall UpgradeGermany has awarded Rheinmetall a several-hundred-million-euro contract to modernize the Navy’s F123-class frigate Bayern, supporting the warship’s continued operational use until at least 2035. The upgrade is being conducted under a service life extension program at Rheinmetall’s Neue Jadewerft facility in Wilhelmshaven, with work expected to continue until 2029.The project will significantly refresh the frigate’s core combat and engineering systems. Planned improvements include a new combat management system, upgraded radar equipment, and major work on propulsion, drive, and other onboard engineering systems. Rheinmetall will also strengthen Bayern’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities to improve its effectiveness in future missions.Bayern entered service in 1996 and remains one of four Brandenburg-class F123 frigates. Measuring 138.8 meters and displacing around 4,900 tons, the ship can reach 29 knots. Major components are now being removed as the vessel progresses toward its next dry-dock modernization phase.
