The US State Department has approved a prospective $3.5-billion sale to Germany of Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) Block I and Standard Missile-2 (SM-2) Block IIIC for its future F127 air defense frigate fleet.
Germany has requested up to 173 SM-6 Block I and 577 SM-2 Block IIIC missiles, along with associated equipment, including MK 21 and MK 13 Vertical Launch System transport, storage, and launch canisters for the respective missile types.
The foreign military sale package further includes missile and support test equipment, parts, and the engineering, integration, and test materiel necessary to produce the SM-6 Block I and SM-2 Block IIIC missiles, as well as logistics and life-cycle sustainment support.
“The proposed sale will improve Germany’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing integrated air and missile defense capabilities deployable from their future Aegis Weapon System equipped F127 class surface combatants, bolstering Germany’s capacity to present a credible deterrence to regional strategic competitors,” the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency stated.
“The proposed sale will also improve Germany’s ability to operate alongside US and allied naval forces in facing a full spectrum of maritime threats.”
RTX has been identified as the primary contractor for the prospective deal, with no offset arrangements proposed so far.
Standard Missiles
The SM-6, known in US Navy service as the RIM-174 Standard Extended Range Active Missile, is a ship-launched interceptor capable of performing multiple roles.
According to developer Raytheon, it is the only missile capable of executing anti-air and anti-surface missions as well as ballistic missile defense or sea-based terminal intercepts.
With an estimated range exceeding 200 kilometers (124 miles) and a top speed approaching Mach 3.5 (2,685 miles/4,322 kilometers per hour), the missile can engage targets well beyond the radar horizon.
Meanwhile, the in-development SM-2 Block IIIC represents the newest version of the SM-2 family, offering significant upgrades over the Block III/IIIA/IIIB variants and enabling improved engagement with targets, including anti-ship cruise missiles and tactical aircraft.
The upgrade replaces the legacy semi-active seeker with a dual-mode seeker that integrates both semi-active and active guidance. It introduces a new dorsal fin along with a thrust-vectoring jet-tab assembly to enhance trajectory control.
Development of the missile is scheduled for completion by September 2031.
F-127 Frigate
Both missiles will bolster the F127’s air defense portfolio ahead of its entry into service in the mid-2030s.
German shipbuilders NVL Group and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems will co-produce the F127-class frigates to succeed the three F124 Sachsen-class ships that entered service in 2003.
The new frigate class will draw on thyssenkrupp’s MEKO A-400 Air & Missile Defense design and feature the Aegis combat management system integrated with the AN/SPY-6(V)1 radar suite.
Germany plans to procure five ships, with an option for a sixth, and could reportedly expand the fleet to eight vessels.
Beyond its Standard-series interceptors, the 10,000-ton ship will also field Naval Strike Missiles, 3SM Tyrfing anti-ship missiles, and, if approved, Tomahawk Block V land-attack cruise missiles.
