FGS Baden-Württemberg departed Wilhelmshaven on 20 October 2023 for its first F125-class operational deployment, joining UNIFIL off Lebanon to monitor the eastern Mediterranean and support Lebanese Navy training until mid-January 2024.
Naval Systems
Baden-Württemberg / F125 frigate
Also known as
- Baden-Württemberg class
- Baden-Wuerttemberg class
- F125
- F125 frigate
- F125 frigates
- Fregatten der Baden-Württemberg-Klasse
The Baden-Württemberg / F125 frigate is Germany's stabilization-oriented frigate class, built by the ARGE F125 consortium for long-endurance maritime surveillance, embargo enforcement, and anti-piracy missions. Bundeswehr sources emphasize its reduced 126-person crew, two-year independent operating concept, and 127 mm gun with remote 12.7 mm mounts.
Role in Conflicts
Profile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- Germany
- Built by
- ARGE F125
- Type
- Stabilization frigate class
- Service note
- 2019-present
- Produced
- 2012-2022
- Number built
- 4
Specifications
- Length
- 149.5 metres
- Beam
- 18.8 metres
- Draft
- 5.4 metres
- Displacement
- 7,200 tonnes
- Speed
- More than 26 knots
- Range
- 4,000 nautical miles
- Crew
- 126 core crew, with space for up to about 70 additional personnel
- Endurance
- Designed for up to two years away from home port and 5,000 operating hours
- Propulsion
- CODLAG with one gas turbine, four diesel generator sets, two electric propulsion motors, bow thruster, and controllable-pitch propellers
- Total power
- 29,000 kW listed by Bundeswehr
- Main gun
- 127 mm Lightweight LCG; Bundeswehr lists a range of more than 80 km and Vulcano-compatible ammunition
- Anti-ship missiles
- Two RGM-84 Harpoon launchers
- Air defence
- Two RIM-116 RAM launchers
- Close-range weapons
- Two 27 mm MLG cannon mounts and five remote HITROLE N 12.7 mm machine-gun stations
- Sensors
- TRS-3D/NR multifunction radar, KORA 18 ESM, MSP 600 EO/IR target trackers, SIMONE 360-degree IR surveillance, diver-detection sonar, navigation radars, and IFF
- Decoys
- Four MASS decoy launchers
- Boats
- Four Buster rigid inflatable boats with about 130 km range and up to 15 passengers each
- Aviation facilities
- Flight deck and hangar provisions for two Sea Lynx Mk88A helicopters when embarked
Intensive-Use Design
The F125 class was shaped around long stabilization deployments rather than short home-port cycles. Bundeswehr describes a design target of 5,000 operating hours, up to two years of continuous operation away from Germany, and a planned inspection interval of five years and eight months.
Crew model
Automation and digital systems reduce the core crew to 126 sailors, with additional berths for embarked specialists such as helicopter crews, boarding teams, or medical personnel.
Mission profile
Bundeswehr frames the class around maritime surveillance, embargo-control missions, anti-piracy operations, presence, and freedom-of-navigation tasks.
Support contract
thyssenkrupp says the F125 technical-logistical support contract was extended to 1 March 2029 and covers all four ships plus the Wilhelmshaven testing and training center.
Carried Missiles
Bundeswehr lists both over-the-horizon anti-ship missiles and close-range RAM air-defense launchers in the F125 weapons fit.
| Launched item | Item type | Launch evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Anti-ship cruise missile | Bundeswehr lists two starters for RGM-84 Harpoon on the Baden-Württemberg-class frigates, giving the class an over-the-horizon anti-ship missile fit. Sources: Bundeswehr: Fregatten der Baden-Wuerttemberg-Klasse |
 | Ship-launched surface-to-air missile | Bundeswehr lists two RIM-116 RAM launchers on the F125 class for close-range air defense. Sources: Bundeswehr: Fregatten der Baden-Wuerttemberg-Klasse |
Shipborne Guns
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | 127 mm naval gun | Bundeswehr lists a 127 mm Lightweight LCG as the F125 class's main gun, with a range of more than 80 km and compatibility with precision-guided Vulcano ammunition. Sources: Bundeswehr: Fregatten der Baden-Wuerttemberg-Klasse |
 | 12.7 mm heavy machine gun | Bundeswehr says five HITROLE N weapon stations with 12.7 mm machine guns protect the F125 class against small surface threats such as speedboats. Sources: Bundeswehr: Fregatten der Baden-Wuerttemberg-Klasse |
 | 27 mm shipboard machine cannon | Bundeswehr says the F125 class carries two Marineleichtgeschütze, one on each side amidships, for close-range sea and air defense. Sources: Bundeswehr: Fregatten der Baden-Wuerttemberg-Klasse |
Air-Defense Launcher
The F125 class carries RAM launchers as a close-range air-defense layer.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | RAM guided missile launcher | Bundeswehr identifies two RIM-116 RAM launchers on the F125 class; the linked MK 31 record covers the 21-round RAM launcher system used for ship self-defense. Sources: Bundeswehr: Fregatten der Baden-Wuerttemberg-Klasse |
Remote Weapon Stations
Bundeswehr identifies five HITROLE N weapon stations with 12.7 mm machine guns as the F125 class's close-in fit.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Remote 12.7 mm weapon station | Bundeswehr identifies five HITROLE N weapon stations with 12.7 mm machine guns protecting the F125 class against small surface threats such as speedboats. |
Sensors And Self-Defense Fit
Bundeswehr lists a layered surveillance and defensive package for the class: a TRS-3D/NR multifunction radar, electronic-support measures, electro-optical target trackers, infrared all-around surveillance, diver-detection sonar, RAM launchers, and MASS decoy launchers.
Air and sea search
The TRS-3D/NR radar is described with more than 250 km range and more than 1,500 track capacity.
Close air defense
Two RIM-116 RAM launchers provide the listed point-defense missile layer.
Anchorage protection
Video surveillance and diver-detection sonar support protection when the ship is in port or at anchor.
Timeline
Baden-Württemberg / F125 frigate Key Events
Lead ship commissioned
Bundeswehr class coverage lists F222 Baden-Württemberg as commissioned on 17 June 2019.
Sources: Bundeswehr: Baden-Württemberg-class F125 frigates
Fourth F125 commissioned
Bundeswehr class coverage lists F225 Rheinland-Pfalz as commissioned on 13 July 2022, completing the four-ship F125 class in German Navy service.
Sources: Bundeswehr: Baden-Württemberg-class F125 frigates
First foreign deployment begins
Bundeswehr reporting says the frigate left Wilhelmshaven on 20 October 2023 for UNIFIL off Lebanon, where it monitored the eastern Mediterranean and supported Lebanese Navy training.
Sources: Bundeswehr: Erster Einsatz Baden-Wuerttemberg verlegt ins Mittelmeer
Returns to Wilhelmshaven
Bundeswehr reporting says the ship returned to Wilhelmshaven after 540 days at sea and a UNIFIL / Indo-Pacific deployment cycle.
Sources: Bundeswehr: Fregatte Baden-Wuerttemberg returns after 540 days
Ships In Class
| Pennant | Ship | Commissioned |
|---|---|---|
| F222 | Baden-Württemberg | 17 June 2019 |
| F223 | Nordrhein-Westfalen | 10 June 2020 |
| F224 | Sachsen-Anhalt | 17 May 2021 |
| F225 | Rheinland-Pfalz | 13 July 2022 |
Media
Baden-Württemberg / F125 frigate Videos
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
Bundeswehr: Baden-Württemberg-class F125 frigatesPublisher: Bundeswehr | Note: Supports the class role as a stabilization frigate, maritime surveillance mission set, intensive-use concept, crew reduction, ship list, technical data, sensors, boats, and weapons fit. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Bundeswehr: Fregatten der Baden-Wuerttemberg-KlassePublisher: Bundeswehr | Note: Supports the class as a launch platform for RGM-84 Harpoon and RIM-116 RAM launchers and as a carrier of 127 mm, 27 mm, and 12.7 mm gun systems. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Bundeswehr: A Royal Navy Officer on the German Frigate “Baden-Württemberg“Publisher: Bundeswehr | Note: Supports the ship's approximate length, range, and general operating characteristics. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Bundeswehr: BAAINBw taking delivery of the frigate "Nordrhein-Westfalen"Publisher: Bundeswehr | Note: Supports ARGE F125 as the shipbuilding consortium and provides background on the F125 construction program. | Accessed: 2026-07-04thyssenkrupp: F125 support contract extendedPublisher: thyssenkrupp | Note: Supports ARGE F125 as thyssenkrupp Marine Systems lead company with NVL Group, the five-year support extension to 1 March 2029, and key data for the four-ship class. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Bundeswehr: Erster Einsatz Baden-Wuerttemberg verlegt ins MittelmeerPublisher: Bundeswehr | Note: Supports conflictUsage:2015 Various Conflicts: FGS Baden-Württemberg deployed to UNIFIL off Lebanon on 20 October 2023, monitored the eastern Mediterranean, and supported Lebanese Navy training. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Bundeswehr: Fregatte Baden-Wuerttemberg returns after 540 daysPublisher: Bundeswehr | Note: Supports conflictUsage:2015 Various Conflicts: FGS Baden-Württemberg operated with UNIFIL off Lebanon, including maritime surveillance and Lebanese Navy training, and returned to Wilhelmshaven on 11 April 2025. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Wikimedia Commons: F125 Baden-Wuerttemberg F222.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports the primary image provenance and open-license context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Wikimedia Commons: BADEN-WURTTEMBERG 00257.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports one gallery image provenance and open-license context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Wikimedia Commons: German frigate Baden-Würtemberg (F222) sails off the coast of Hawaii during RIMPAC 2024 on 22 July 2024.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports one gallery image provenance and open-license context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04