Germany is proposing the acquisition of a fourth Type 424 signals intelligence and reconnaissance vessel as Rheinmetall moves ahead with construction of the third ship at its Peene-Werft shipyard in Wolgast. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced the additional vessel proposal, which must now receive parliamentary approval for funding. If approved, the decision would expand the planned fleet of specialised ships intended to strengthen Germany’s maritime intelligence collection, research and data-gathering capabilities. The Type 424 programme is intended to replace the German Navy’s ageing Type 423 Oste-class SIGINT ships, which date from the 1980s. The first deliveries of the new vessels are scheduled between 2029 and 2031. Rheinmetall is currently constructing the second and third ships simultaneously at Wolgast. Once the hull construction phase is completed, the vessels will be transferred to the company’s Blohm+Voss facility in Hamburg for final outfitting, systems integration and testing. Type 424 SIGINT CapabilitiesThe Type 424 is designed to monitor activity across the electromagnetic spectrum involving land, maritime and airborne sources. Its mission systems will combine advanced sensors with artificial intelligence and automated control technologies. In addition to conventional naval personnel, the ships will carry specialists from Germany’s Cyber and Information Domain Service. These personnel will analyse electronic signals and contribute to cyber and digital defence missions. The Type 424 has a 132-metre (433-foot) hull and accommodation for as many as 100 people. It is expected to provide significantly greater capabilities than the 84-metre (276-foot) Type 423 vessels it replaces. The older ships were originally equipped with Cold War-era SIGINT technology, together with early warning and communications systems.
