On November 12, 2024, the German Navy Frigate Baden-Württemberg (F222) arrived in Cape Town from Mormugao, India, marking a significant moment in international naval cooperation. This visit is part of a broader Indo-Pacific deployment, showcasing Germany’s commitment to maritime security and partnership with South Africa.
There was a time when German warships and Luftwaffe aircraft were regular visitors to South African waters. These visits included bombing tests and exercises with the South African Air Force at the Overberg military range. However, such visits have become rare over the years, making the arrival of the Baden-Württemberg a notable event.
The Baden-Württemberg, accompanied by the fleet replenishment vessel Frankfurt am Main (A1412), sailed into Cape Town harbor and docked at the Duncan Dock.
The Frigate
The Baden-Württemberg is the lead vessel in the Type 125 Frigate class, known for its heavy displacement tonnage of 7,200 tonnes. Commissioned in June 2019, the frigate underwent extensive sea trials and equipment tests before achieving full operational capability in mid-2023. Her first major deployment was to the Eastern Mediterranean in response to regional conflicts
The primary mission of the Baden-Württemberg is to support international maritime security and peacekeeping operations. Equipped with advanced weaponry, including a 127 mm OTO Melara Vulcano gun and RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles, the frigate is well-prepared for various maritime threats.
Additionally, the ship can accommodate up to 190 personnel, including an aviation wing and a marine assault company.
Fleet replenishment vessel Frankfurt am Main (A1412)
For the fleet replenishment vesse, it was laid down in August 2000, and launched in January 2001, FGS Frankfurt am Main was commissioned into the Federal German Navy in May 2002. She was the second of a class of three replenishment vessels, classified as a Type 702 vessel, and known as the Berlin Class, with all three sisterships named after German past and present parliamentary cities. Her hull was built at Flensburger Schiffbau GmbH shipyards, at Flensburg in Germany, with superstructure, outfitting, and sea trials, completed at Krögerwerft GmbH shipyard, at Rendsburg in Germany.
With a length of 174 metres, and a deadweight of 20 243 tons, FGS Frankfurt am Main is powered by two MAN-B&W 12V32/40 twelve cylinder, four stroke, main engines producing 7 160 bhp (5 340 kW) each, and driving two controllable pitch propellers for a service speed of 20 knots. Her auxiliary machinery includes four Deutz-MWM generators providing 1 200 kW each. For added manoeuvrability she has a single bow transverse thruster.
With an endurance of 45 days, and a range of 8 600 nautical miles, FGS Frankfurt am Main has an operating crew of up to 150 officers and ratings, plus additional accommodation for a further 74 persons, made up of medical teams and aviation support units. She is fitted with a modular medical unit, complete with two operating theatres, an intensive care unit, X-Ray suite, a dental surgery, medical laboratories, and patient wards for up to 50 casualties.
She carried 40 additional crew, made up of a Medical Team, and a Naval Infantry party. Whilst she has a helideck, and hangarage for up to two NH90 Sealion helicopters, FGS Frankfurt am Main was not carrying any onboard helicopters for this deployment, with FGS Baden-Württemberg carrying two Westland Sea Lynx Mk.88A helicopters, provided by Naval Aviation Squadron 5, based at Naval Air Base Nordholz, located 25km from Bremerhaven.
As a fleet replenishment vessel, FGS Frankfurt am Main has light, defensive only, armament. It includes four Rheinmetall MLG27 27 mm autocannons, four standard, manually fired, 12.7 mm machine guns, and she is also fitted with mountings capable of holding Stinger, manually fired, surface to air missiles (MANPADS).
She belongs to the largest class of vessel in the Federal German Navy, and is able to carry, store, and transfer provisions, dry stores, ammunition and fuel by utilising two Replenishment At Sea (RAS) stations, with one on the port side, and one on the starboard side, as well as by helicopter vertical replenishment using her helideck. She also is fitted with two electro-hydraulic cranes for cargo movement on deck, and for dockside transfer.
Recent Deployments
Before arriving in South Africa, the Baden-Württemberg participated in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 and conducted maritime partnership exercises with the Indian Navy. The frigate’s journey also included stops in the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia.
The visit of the Baden-Württemberg to South Africa highlights the enduring partnership between the two nations. German Ambassador to South Africa, Andreas Peschke, emphasized the symbolic nature of the visit, reflecting Germany’s aspiration to work closely with South Africa on security and defense matters.
