France’s Thales has won a 1.5 billion-euro contract to build combat systems for four advanced MKS 180 frigates to be built for Germany by Dutch shipbuilder Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding. It is the third-biggest contract in the history of Europe’s largest defence electronics maker, outpaced only by major deals to equip France’s Rafale fighter and FREMM multi-mission frigate, Thales Chief Executive Patrice Caine told Reuters.
The new ships, to be delivered from 2028, five years later than originally intended following a long procurement process, will be used for attacking targets on land and underwater, as well as providing aerial protection to other vessels.
It follows a pan-European tender which drew some criticism in Germany.
Damen was picked this year to build the frigates and entered talks with partner Thales for systems including the Above Water Warfare System, developed with Dutch government funding....MORE
