The F124 frigates are currently equipped with 32 vertical launch cells of the Mk.41 type, while the F123 frigates feature 16 such cells. Incorporating the BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles would significantly enhance the German Navy’s capability to engage land targets at extended ranges.
Presently, the only surface-to-surface missile system on these frigates is the RGM-84 Harpoon, which is primarily designed for anti-ship operations. Only the five K-130 corvettes in the German fleet possess land-attack capability, utilising the RBS-15 Mk.3 missiles with a maximum range of up to 200 kilometres.
This potential upgrade aligns with the joint announcement made by the United States and Germany in July 2024. The two countries declared that long-range weapons, including the BGM-109 Tomahawk missiles, would be deployed in Germany from 2026 onwards.
The joint statement underscored that the deployment of such weapons in Europe reflects the United States’ commitment to NATO and contributes to the continent’s deterrence capabilities. In addition to the Tomahawk missiles, the US plans to station SM-6 air defence missiles and hypersonic weapons in Germany, the latter still being under development.
The current production model of the BGM-109 Tomahawk is the Block IV Tactical Tomahawk (TacTom), which has a maximum range of 1,600 kilometres. The upcoming Block V version, expected to be delivered to the US Navy in 2025 or 2026, will have an extended range of over 1,700 kilometres and will include capabilities to strike naval targets.
