WOLGAST, Germany — April 17, 2026 : Construction of the third and final signals intelligence (SIGINT) vessel in the German Navy’s Type 424 class has officially commenced, following a steel-cutting ceremony held at the Peene-Werft shipyard in Wolgast. The event was attended by representatives of the Bundeswehr and key project officials, marking the point at which all three ships in the class are now in active production.
The Type 424 program, managed by Rheinmetall Naval Systems through its NVL Group operations, has reached a significant milestone with the early start of construction on the final vessel. The accelerated timeline reflects a broader push to enhance Germany’s maritime intelligence capabilities in response to evolving security requirements.
Tim Wagner, Chief Executive Officer of Rheinmetall’s Naval Systems division, stated that initiating steel cutting ahead of schedule demonstrates a deliberate effort to increase production speed. He noted that all three vessels being under construction simultaneously represents both an industrial and strategic development, with faster delivery timelines becoming increasingly important in the current security environment.
The vessels, designated as Flottendienstboote Klasse 424, are designed as advanced maritime reconnaissance platforms. Each ship measures approximately 130 to 132 meters in length and will be equipped with modern sensor systems capable of collecting and processing signals intelligence across a broad frequency spectrum. Their capabilities include electronic intelligence (ELINT), communications intelligence (COMINT), and imagery intelligence (IMINT).
In addition to intelligence-gathering systems, the ships are being designed with integrated command and control (C2) capabilities, self-protection systems, and low-noise propulsion technology to reduce acoustic signatures during operations. While detailed specifications of onboard systems remain classified, the design emphasizes long-term operational flexibility and compatibility with future technological developments.
Once commissioned, the vessels will be operated jointly by the German Navy and the Cyber and Information Domain Service (CIR), reflecting an integrated approach to maritime intelligence operations within the Bundeswehr.
The Type 424 ships are intended to replace the existing Oste-class (Type 423) fleet service vessels — Oste, Oker, and Alster — which entered service in the late 1980s and have remained operational for more than three decades.
The program originated on June 23, 2021, when the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) signed a design and construction contract with Lürssen Werft GmbH, now operating as NVL Group. The agreement also includes the provision of associated onshore training facilities, scheduled for delivery by 2027.
Following parliamentary approval in July 2023, a contract amendment was signed on July 10, 2023, enabling full-scale construction of the vessels. The total program value has since increased to approximately €3.3 billion, compared to the initial estimate of €2.1 billion.
Construction work for the Type 424 class is distributed across multiple NVL Group facilities. The fore hull sections are being built at Peene-Werft in Wolgast, while the aft hull sections and final hull integration are carried out at the Lürssen Werft facility in Bremen-Vegesack. Final outfitting of the vessels will take place at Blohm & Voss in Hamburg.
Earlier milestones in the program include the start of construction of the first vessel, with steel cutting conducted on November 21, 2024, in Lemwerder, followed by keel laying on February 25, 2025, at Peene-Werft in Wolgast. The second vessel began construction with steel cutting on September 4, 2025, at Peene-Werft, and its keel was laid on November 19, 2025, also ahead of schedule.
The first Type 424 vessel is currently scheduled to enter service between 2027 and 2029. Full operational capability for the three-ship class is expected between 2029 and 2031.
NVL Group, now integrated into Rheinmetall’s Naval Systems division following the company’s acquisition, serves as the prime contractor for the program. The overall effort is focused on delivering the new intelligence vessels within shortened timelines to meet current and future operational requirements of the Bundeswehr.
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