MEKO 200

Last updated
TGS Orucreis.jpg
Turkish Navy frigate TCG Oruç Reis departing from Portsmouth Naval Base in the United Kingdom, September 2009.
Class overview
Name
  • MEKO 200
  • MEKO A-200
  • MEKO A class
  • MEKO D
  • Delta class
Builders Blohm + Voss
Operators
In service1987–present
Building1
Completed34
Active34
General characteristics
Type Frigate
Displacement3,400 tons (full load)
Length118 m (387 ft)
Beam14.8 m (49 ft)
Draught4.3 m (14 ft)
Propulsion1 × General Electric LM2500+ gas turbine and 2 × MTU 12V1163 TB83 diesel engines, driving two shafts with controllable pitch propellers in CODOG configuration.
Speed32 knots (59 km/h)
Range6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km) at 18 knots (33 km/h)
Complement220
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Sonars: Thomson Sintra Spherion B Mod 5; hull-mounted; active search and attack; medium frequency. Provision for towed array
  • Air search radar: Raytheon AN/SPS-49(V)8 ANZ (C/D-band)
  • Surface search radar: Saab 9LV 453 TIR (Ericsson Tx/Rx) (G-band)
  • Navigation: Atlas Elektronik 9600 ARPA (I-band)
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • ESM: Racal modified Sceptre A (radar intercept), Telefunken PST-1720 Telegon 10 (comms intercept)
  • Countermeasures: Decoys: G & D Aircraft SRBOC Mk-36 Mod 1 decoy launchers for SRBOC
Armament
Aircraft carried

The MEKO 200 is a frigate design by the Blohm + Voss shipyard of Germany, as part of the MEKO family of warships.

Contents

Variants

Anzac class (MEKO 200ANZ)

HMAS Parramatta, an Anzac-class MEKO 200 type frigate of the Royal Australian Navy. RAN-IFR 2013 D2 115.JPG
HMAS Parramatta, an Anzac-class MEKO 200 type frigate of the Royal Australian Navy.

Ten MEKO 200 frigates were built to the Anzac-class design: eight for the Royal Australian Navy, and two for the Royal New Zealand Navy.

The Australian Department of Defence decided to upgrade their Anzacs before all ships were completed. The upgraded configuration includes RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles fitted in two quad launchers, Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles quad-packed in VLS enabling 32 missiles to be carried, four Nulka active missile decoy bays, and the TSM 5424 Petrel mine and obstacle avoidance sonar system. All upgrades and new builds are scheduled for completion by 2006.

In 2004 Tenix, Saab, and the Australian Department of Defence formed a Private Public Partnership to upgrade the anti-ship missile defence capability of the Anzac class. This upgrade will include Sagem Vampir NG IRST (infra-red search and track) capability, Saab 9LV Combat Management System upgrade and CEA Technologies PAR 3D E/F band fixed active phased array radar and illuminator. A new main mast will be constructed to incorporate the CEAFAR[ clarification needed ] and CEAMOUNT[ clarification needed ] systems and maintain the existing 2D radar and electronic surveillance capabilities.

The two RNZN frigates have been upgraded under the Future Systems Upgrade Program [2] at Seaspan Shipyard in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The upgrades included the MBDA Sea Ceptor SAM (20 missiles), new soft kill self defence systems, Lockheed Martin Canada's CMS 330 Combat Management System, new sonar processing systems and an underwater communications system.

Yavuz/Barbaros class (MEKO 200TN)

TCG Kemal Reis, a Salih Reis-class (MEKO 200 TN Track II-B) frigate of the Turkish Navy. Tur F247.jpg
TCG Kemal Reis, a Salih Reis-class (MEKO 200 TN Track II-B) frigate of the Turkish Navy.

The Turkish variant, MEKO 200TN, is a modified MEKO 200 type multirole frigate. The first order for the Turkish Navy was signed in April 1983. Two MEKO 200TN were built in Germany and two built in the Gölcük shipyards in Turkey. The vessels are also known as MEKO 200TN Track I or Yavuz class, after the lead ship of the family. Two more orders followed, each known as Track IIA Barbaros class and Track IIB.

The Yavuz-class frigates have adopted the CODAD propulsion method with 4 MTU 20V Diesel engines, which require a substantial amount of maintenance. There were also questions over the selection of the Swiss manufactured Sea Zenith, an advanced CIWS system that was never previously used on any naval platform, but there have been no negative reports regarding the system's performance from the Turkish Navy. The later Track IIA frigates have incorporated major improvements including the CODOG propulsion method with two MTU 16V diesel engines and two LM2500-30 gas turbines, a greater displacement of 3,350 tons (full load) and the replacement of the older Mk-29 Sea Sparrow launcher with the Mk-41 Mod 8 VLS.

These frigates are considered to be used not for naval superiority, but rather as sea-denying assets that will try to inflict maximum damage to the enemy, while trying to keep friendly casualties low. MEKO200TN Track I/IIA/IIBs have a maximum speed of 27/31+ knots, with a range of 4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km; 4,600 mi) at a speed of 20/22 knots. Their armament includes the FMC Mk 45 127 mm/54 caliber gun, eight RGM-84 Harpoons, two triple-mounted Mk 32 324 mm torpedo tubes, and 8/16 RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles.

Electronic equipment includes the DA 08/ AWS-9 surface/air surveillance radar, the WM 25/ AWS 6 tracking radar, the TM 1226/ 2690BT ARPA navigation radar, and STACOS TU/FD Tactical Command and Control System. The Turkish frigates are equipped with WM25/ COSYS DDWCS Fire Control System, a DE1160 sonar, and Link 11/14 VESTA CDL2, MCS2002 communication systems.

Vasco da Gama class (MEKO 200PN)

The Portuguese Navy frigate NRP Corte Real participates in a pass and review during the North Atlantic Council at Sea Day. POS Corte Real (F 332).jpg
The Portuguese Navy frigate NRP Corte Real participates in a pass and review during the North Atlantic Council at Sea Day.

The Vasco da Gama class, a development of the MEKO 200 PN German concept, are major surface ships of the Portuguese Navy. Portugal operates three ships of this class, which were built in Kiel by Blohm + Voss, and later by HDW, using modular construction techniques. These vessels are unique in the MEKO 200 family as they are the only ones equipped with the French 100mm naval gun as their main gun.

The project for the construction of three frigates of this class was authorized by the Portuguese Government in 1985, five years after the request of the Portuguese Navy for the acquisition of new surface ships.

Hydra class (MEKO 200HN)

Hellenic Navy frigate HS Psara sailing down the Firth of Clyde in Scotland, at the start of Neptune Warrior (NW 063) multinational training exercise. HS Psara (F 454) 23 10 06 1138.jpg
Hellenic Navy frigate HS Psara sailing down the Firth of Clyde in Scotland, at the start of Neptune Warrior (NW 063) multinational training exercise.

The MEKO frigates have high-level specifications for shock resistance, stiffness requirements for the fire control and radar systems, and blast and gas pressure resistance to retain the integrity of the on-board weapon systems. The hull is constructed of high tensile steel with a yield strength of S355 N/mm² 'structural steel grades'.

The ship is divided into twelve self-sufficient watertight sections, which function almost independently of each other. Each compartment has independent data transfer to the ship’s Naval Automation System, Nautos.

The four Hydra-class frigates of the Hellenic Navy of Greece are 3,200-ton frigates of the MEKO 200HN design. The first of the four, Hydra was built by Blohm + Voss in Hamburg and commissioned in 1992. The other three were constructed at the Hellenic Shipyards Co. at Skaramagas. Spetsai was commissioned in 1996, Psara in 1998 and Salamis in 1999. Three Hydra-class frigates were deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 2002–2003.

Valour class (MEKO A-200SAN)

SAS Spioenkop before weapons and sensors were fitted Spioenkop F147.jpg
SAS Spioenkop before weapons and sensors were fitted

Four Valour-class frigates: SAS Amatola, SAS Isandlwana, SAS Spioenkop and SAS Mendi were constructed by Blohm + Voss for the South African Navy between 2000 and 2005.

The improved A-200SAN design incorporates new signature reduction measures. The combat management system is sourced from Thales. Two SuperLynx 300, one Atlas Oryx, two AgustaWestland AW109, one Rooivalk or various UAVs can be accommodated.

Erradii class (MEKO A-200AN)

Erradii was the first German built MEKO A-200 AN frigate commissioned with the Algerian Navy Algerian Meko.jpg
Erradii was the first German built MEKO A-200 AN frigate commissioned with the Algerian Navy

The Algerian Navy operates two MEKO A-200AN frigates, Erradii (910) and El Moudamir (911). [3] The MEKO A-200AN is based on the MEKO A-200SAN. The ships were ordered from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. Construction was subcontracted to the ADM Kiel shipyard. There was an option for two more in 2014 [4] but as of 2021 the number of ships in service was two. [5]

The MEKO A-200AN include the following equipment: [3]

In 2016, Navy Recognition reported that the MEKO A-200AN was expected to use the CODAG-WARP (WAter jet and Refined Propellers) propulsion like the MEKO A-200SAN, with the MEKO A-200AN having a water-jet drive and two propellers. [6]

Al-Aziz class (MEKO A-200EN)

Egyptian Navy frigate ENS Al-Qadeer during fitting out in Kiel, Germany, June 2023 Al Qadeer (ship, 2023) in Kiel.jpg
Egyptian Navy frigate ENS Al-Qadeer during fitting out in Kiel, Germany, June 2023

As of January 2024, the Egyptian Navy operates three MEKO A-200EN frigates, ENS Al-Aziz, ENS Al-Qahhar and ENS Al-Qadeer. The fourth ship, ENS Al-Jabbar, is undergoing fitting out. [7]

In December 2021, the German government approved the sale of 3 frigates to Egypt. This order was increased to 4, then to the current 6 frigates, with some to be built in Egypt. The first vessel was handed over in October 2022. [8]

The MEKO A-200EN included the following equipment: [9]

Operators

See also

Related Research Articles

Valour-class frigate South African navy frigates

The Valour class is a class of frigates built for the South African Navy. Part of the MEKO family of warships, the German shipbuilder Blohm+Voss officially designate the class as the MEKO A-200SAN.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MEKO</span> Family of warships

The MEKO family of warships was developed by the German company Blohm+Voss. MEKO is a registered trademark. The portmanteau stands for "Mehrzweck-Kombination". It is a concept in modern naval shipbuilding based on modularity of armament, electronics and other equipment, aiming at ease of maintenance and cost reduction.

<i>Anzac</i>-class frigate Australian military ship class

The Anzac class is a ship class of ten frigates; eight operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and two operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). During the 1980s, the RAN began plans to replace the River-class destroyer escorts with a mid-capability patrol frigate and settled on the idea of modifying a proven German design for Australian conditions. Around the same time, the RNZN was seeking to replace their Leander-class frigates while maintaining blue-water capabilities. A souring of relations between New Zealand and the United States of America in relation to New Zealand's nuclear-free zone and the ANZUS security treaty prompted New Zealand to seek improved ties with other nations, particularly Australia. As both nations were seeking warships of similar capabilities, the decision was made in 1987 to collaborate on their acquisition. The project name is taken from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps of the First World War.

HMAS <i>Parramatta</i> (FFH 154) Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Parramatta is an Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). One of ten warships built for the RAN and Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) based on the MEKO 200 design, Parramatta was laid down in 1999, launched in 2003, and commissioned into the RAN in 2003. During her career, the frigate has been deployed to the Middle East on several occasions. In early 2015, Parramatta was docked to undergo the Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) upgrade. She completed these upgrades in April 2016.

HMAS <i>Stuart</i> (FFH 153) Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Stuart is an Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). She was built at Williamstown in Victoria, and commissioned into the RAN in 2002. The frigate is operational as of 2021.

HMAS <i>Anzac</i> (FFH 150) Anzac-class frigate of Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Anzac is the lead ship of the Anzac-class frigates in use with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). Entering Australian service in 1996, the frigate operated as part of the INTERFET peacekeeping taskforce in 1999. In 2003, she was involved in the Battle of Al Faw, and became the first RAN ship to fire in anger since the Vietnam War.

HMAS <i>Arunta</i> (FFH 151) Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Arunta is an Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The ship, named for the Arrernte people, was laid down in 1995 and commissioned in 1998. Since entering service, Arunta has performed a wide range of duties, including border protection patrols in northern Australian waters, and several deployments to the Persian Gulf.

HMNZS <i>Te Kaha</i> Anzac-class frigate of Royal New Zealand Navy

HMNZS Te Kaha (F77) is one of ten Anzac-class frigates, and one of two serving in the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). The name Te Kaha is Māori, meaning 'fighting prowess' or 'strength'.

HMAS <i>Perth</i> (FFH 157) Anzac-class frigate of Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Perth is an Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The last ship of the class to be completed, she was built by Tenix Defence and commissioned into the RAN in 2006. In 2007, Perth became the first major warship of the RAN to be commanded by a woman. During 2010 and 2011, the frigate was used as the testbed for a major upgrade to the Anzac class' ability to defend themselves from anti-ship missiles.

HMAS <i>Warramunga</i> (FFH 152) Anzac-class frigate of Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Warramunga is an Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). One of ten frigates built for the Australian and New Zealand navies, Warramunga was laid down by Tenix Defence in 1997 and commissioned in 2001. During her career, the frigate has operated in the Persian Gulf as part of Operation Catalyst, and undertaken anti-piracy operations off Somalia. Warramunga underwent the Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) upgrade during 2014. She is active as of October 2022.

HMAS <i>Ballarat</i> (FFH 155) Anzac-class frigate of Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Ballarat is an Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The frigate was laid down in 2000 and commissioned into the RAN in mid-2004. Since entering service, Ballarat has been involved in border protection as part of Operation Relex II, was deployed to the Gulf for Operation Catalyst, and was one of the two ships involved in the Operation Northern Trident 2009 round-the-world voyage. Ballarat has undergone the Anti-Ship Missile Defence (ASMD) upgrade, completing in 2015.

<i>Brandenburg</i>-class frigate Class of anti-submarine frigates in service with German navy

The F123 Brandenburg class is a class of German frigate. They were ordered by the German Navy in June 1989 and completed and commissioned between 1994 and 1996, replacing the Hamburg-class destroyers. The ships primarily carry out anti-submarine warfare (ASW), but they also contribute to local anti-aircraft defenses, the tactical command of squadrons, and surface-to-surface warfare operations. Together with the F124 Sachsen-class frigates, they are the mainstay of the German surface fleet.

<i>Vasco da Gama</i>-class frigate

The Vasco da Gama class is a class of frigates of the Portuguese Navy. Named in honor of the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama, the ships are based on the German MEKO 200 design, and are Portugal's major surface ships. Portugal operates three ships of this class, which were built in Hamburg by Blohm + Voss (B&V) and by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) in Kiel, using modular construction techniques.

<i>Hydra</i>-class frigate Class of Greek frigates

The Hydra class are a group of four frigates in service with the Hellenic Navy. They were designed in Germany and are part of the MEKO group of modular warships, in this case the MEKO 200 design. The programme was authorised in 1988 and partially paid for with FMS aid and provisioned for the commission of six vessels. The first ship was built in Germany and commissioned in 1992 but suffered a serious fire while working up near Portland, England. Repairs were completed in 1993. The Greek built warships were delayed due to financial problems on the part of the Hellenic Shipyards completing in the late 1990s which also led to limiting the total number of vessels to four mainly after the acquisition of eight Kortenaer-class frigates from the Netherlands in the late 1990s.

Algerian frigate <i>Erradii</i> MEKO 200 frigate of the Algerian Navy

Erradii (910) is the lead ship of Erradii-class frigates of the Algerian National Navy.

Algerian frigate <i>El Moudamir</i> MEKO 200 frigate of the Algerian Navy

El Moudamir (911) is the second Erradii-class frigate of the Algerian National Navy.

ENS <i>Al-Aziz</i> MEKO 200 frigate of the Egyptian Navy

ENS Al-Aziz is the lead ship of Al-Aziz-class frigates of the Egyptian Navy.

ENS <i>Al-Qahhar</i>

ENS Al-Qahhar is an Al-Aziz-class frigates of the Egyptian Navy.

ENS <i>Al-Qadeer</i> MEKO 200 frigate of the Egyptian Navy

ENS Al-Qadeer is an Al-Aziz-class frigates of the Egyptian Navy.

ENS Al-Jabbar is an Al-Aziz-class frigates of the Egyptian Navy. Unlike other ships in the class, Al-Jabbar was domestically built in Egypt at the Alexandria Shipyard.

References

Citations

  1. ↑ @D__Mitch (November 26, 2018). "Impressive #AlgerianNavy firepower: RBS15 Mk3 missile launchers of a MEKO-200AN frigate!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ↑ "Royal New Zealand Navy's te Kaha Frigate Starts Post-Upgrade Sea Trials". 9 September 2020.
  3. 1 2 "Second Algerian Meko frigate arrives home". defenceWeb. 22 May 2017.
  4. ↑ Nitz, Michael; Scott, Kiel; Scott, Richard; Binnie, Jeremy (11 December 2014). "First Algerian MEKO A-200 frigate undocked". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 13 December 2014. Retrieved 25 December 2014.
  5. 1 2 The Military Balance (2021): pg. 330
  6. ↑ "First of Two German built MEKO A-200 AN Frigate Commissioned with Algerian Navy". Navyrecognition.com. 2016-02-29. Retrieved 2016-05-21.
  7. ↑ "TKMS hands over third MEKO frigate for Egypt". janes.com. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  8. 1 2 "TKMS Delivers First MEKO A-200 EN Frigate to Egypt". Naval News. 14 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  9. 1 2 "First MEKO A-200 frigate for Egypt commences sea trials | Shephard". www.shephardmedia.com. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  10. ↑ The Military Balance (2021): pg. 242
  11. ↑ The Military Balance (2021): pg. 111
  12. ↑ The Military Balance (2021): pg. 490
  13. ↑ The Military Balance (2021): pg. 153
  14. ↑ The Military Balance (2021): pg. 289
  15. ↑ Sinico, Sean, ed. (16 December 2021). "Germany: Merkel government greenlit controversial arms deal with Egypt". Deutsche Welle . Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  16. ↑ "SIPRI Arms Transfers Database - Germany to Egypt; 2015-2020; Ships". Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. 7 January 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2022. 4, MEKO-A200, Frigate, 2019, Incl 1 produced under licence in Egypt

Bibliography

  • The International Institute for Strategic Studies (2021). The Military Balance 2021. Routledge. ISBN   978-1-032-01227-8.
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