Biggest Frigate in the World

The German Navy’s F125 Baden-Württemberg-class frigates, built by ARGE F125, a joint venture by Lurssen and Thyssen-Krupp are regarded as the biggest frigates in the world, in terms of displacement.

They are 149.5 m long, 18.8 m wide, and have a 5.4 m draft. They have a displacement of 7200 tonnes. They have a range of 4000 nm, a speed of 20 knots, and a complement of 190. Four such frigates are in service, and they replaced the F122 Bremen class.

The largest frigates in the world are designed to manage crises, prevent conflicts, conduct intervention operations, control threats at sea, and support special forces when needed.

Compared to the Bremen frigates, constructed to tackle Cold War era challenges, the F125 frigates have much more enhanced land-attack capacities.

These ships were built keeping peacekeeping and peacemaking missions in mind, which is why they are also equipped with non-lethal weapons like water cannons and searchlights for deterrence and defence.

They have advanced stealth technology including reduced radar, infrared and acoustic footprints.

To ensure that the frigate operates even when severely damaged as a result of enemy attack or accidents, vital systems are present twice at different locations within the ship.

It also enables these frigates to keep station when required in case an important system breaks down and no replacement is available at that time.

This principle is also evident in the superstructures, split into 2 huge pyramid-shaped deck houses, over which lie the Cassidian TRS-4D electronically scanned array radar.

The propulsion system of the frigates includes a 20 MW gas turbine, two 4.7 MW electric motors, four 2.9 MW diesel generators, 3 gearboxes, 2 shafts and 1 bow thruster.

The frigate carries submarine ROV’s and 4 rigid inflatable boats. They have a 127 mm main gun, two 27 mm autocannons and even 12.7 mm machine guns against air and surface targets.

The frigates’ air defence capacities are limited to short-range point defence systems.

The lead ship of the class, Baden-Württemberg had several issues including a 1.3-degree list to starboard when delivered. It was also quite heavy which restricted its performance, increased its cost of operation and affected the German Navy’s ability to add future upgrades to the outfitted vessel.

Hence, the German defence procurement agency, BAAINBw refused to commission it, making it the first time in history that the agency returned the vessel to its builder.

However, it was eventually commissioned in 2019 and all frigates in the class were delivered by 2022.

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