Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS) has been selected as the preferred bidder to build the German Navy’s MKS 180 multirole combat ships, the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) confirmed on 14 January.
Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding's concept design selected for the German Navy’s MKS 180 programme in January. (Damen Group)
The Dutch shipbuilder will deliver the programme in partnership with Lürssen Group subsidiary Blohm+Voss and Thales. In a statement, Damen noted that about 80% of total net investment would be spent in Germany.
Construction of four ships is projected to cost about EUR4.4 billion (USD4.9 billion), according to the BAAINBw, with total funding of about EUR6 billion to be allocated over a 10-year time frame to cover project costs, training, and shore infrastructure. The total may rise if options for two additional ships are exercised.
The next steps in the programme before a contract can be awarded include review by the Federal Public Procurement Tribunal and then submission to parliament for approval.
Damen was selected to deliver the MKS 180 programme over a rival team formed by German Naval Yards and ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), which has the option to challenge the decision.
The tender process commenced in 2015, with an unusual step taken to open the tender to European bidders. In May 2016, three teams were shortlisted, including TKMS in partnership with Lürssen, Damen partnered with Blohm+Voss, and German Naval Yards teamed with BAE Systems.
This constellation has changed considerably since then. In March 2018, the BAAINBw announced it had decided to exclude the TKMS/Lürssen team. TKMS subsequently teamed with German Naval Yards, while Lürssen acquired Blohm+Voss and became part of the Damen offering.
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