Rheinmetall’s shipbuilding division Naval Vessels Lürssen (NVL) has commenced construction of the third and final Type 424 signals intelligence (SIGINT) and reconnaissance vessel for the German Navy. The milestone, achieved ahead of schedule, was marked by a steel-cutting ceremony at NVL’s Peene-Werft facility in Wolgast, attended by military officials.
Germany is expected to receive the full Type 424 fleet between 2029 and 2031, replacing the aging Type 423 Oste-class ships that have been operational since the 1980s. The new platforms will employ advanced sea-based sensors to gather intelligence and maintain persistent surveillance across national and allied areas.
Beyond naval operations, the vessels will also be utilized by the Cyber and Information Domain Service, which oversees cyber defense, digital transformation, and electronic warfare capabilities within Germany’s armed forces.
The Type 424 vessels will feature a 132-meter hull and accommodate up to 100 personnel. They are designed with advanced electronic systems capable of collecting both surface and sub-surface intelligence, supported by a self-protection suite and low-noise propulsion for stealth operations. Compared to the older Type 423 platforms, the new ships offer significantly enhanced capabilities, replacing legacy Cold War-era SIGINT and communications systems.
