Germany-based thyssenkrupp Marine Systems has signed a deal with Saab Australia to explore opportunities for collaboration on the MEKO A-200 frigate platform, continuing thyssenkrupp’s commitment to support partner nations in developing, maintaining and upgrading naval vessels.
Under a memorandum of understanding signed recently at the German consulate in Sydney, New South Wales, the two companies will use Saab’s Australian Combat System to identify ways to improve the platform’s naval capabilities.
The 3,800-ton MEKO A-200 comes with CODAG-Water jet and Refined Propellers propulsion system, accommodates combat systems from different suppliers and features outstanding sea-keeping and tactical mobility, thyssenKrupp said. The vessel also features the ability to stay hidden from adversarial forces by reducing its radar, IR, acoustic and magnetic signatures.
A History of Technological Collaboration
Thyssenkrupp said the collaboration continues a long history of cooperation with Saab and their commitment to deliver mature and proven technology that meets the rapidly changing needs of naval forces.
“This MoU with Saab Australia reflects our proven approach to naval shipbuilding and long-term collaboration with trusted partners,” said Oliver Juckenhöfel, executive vice president of operating unit surface vessels at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. “We are proud to contribute to a robust and sovereign naval capability through a model that has proven successful across multiple navies.”
In November, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries were selected by the Australian Ministry of Defence to compete for a contract to design Australia’s future general-purpose frigates.
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