Rheinmetall AG is moving into military shipbuilding with a new missile frigate aimed at NATO navies. The German defence group has outlined a multipurpose warship designed to counter major threats at sea and in the air.
Known as the GMF 140, the proposed frigate will displace about 6,000 tonnes and measure 140 metres in length. Its planned missions include air and missile defence, submarine hunting and long-range strikes.
The platform is being developed for a broad range of operations. It will be able to deploy far from shore, support expeditionary and multinational missions, and operate in coastal waters. The design also seeks to reduce crew requirements and uses a unified digital architecture to control onboard systems.
Rheinmetall plans to equip the GMF 140 with US-made radar and combat management systems. The equipment is intended to detect and intercept a wide range of airborne threats, including ballistic missiles and hypersonic weapons.
A specially shaped hull will help reduce the frigate’s visibility. Its anti-submarine capabilities will be supported by an integrated acoustic surveillance system and several sonar systems.
The GMF 140 will have a stated range of up to 10,000 nautical miles and will be able to remain at sea for as long as 45 days without entering port.
Rheinmetall is positioning the frigate as a versatile surface combatant for NATO members and partner countries. The company plans to offer the ship first to customers in North America before expanding into other markets across the alliance.