Rheinmetall’s shipbuilding segment Naval Vessels Lürssen (NVL) has begun the production of the third and final Type 424 signals intelligence (SIGINT) and reconnaissance platform for the German Navy.
The progress, achieved ahead of the original schedule, was marked with a steel-cutting ceremony at NVL’s Peene-Werft shipyard in Wolgast, northeastern Germany, which was attended by armed forces representatives.
Berlin is slated to receive the entire Type 424 fleet between 2029 and 2031, replacing the Type 423 Oste-class fleet, which has been in service since the 1980s.
The new vessels will use sea-based sensors to collect data and sustain monitoring posture across domestic territories and allied regions.
In addition to the navy, the spy ships will be operated by the Cyber and Information Domain Service, which is responsible for digitizing workflows, securing cyber infrastructure, and facilitating electronic warfare for the NATO country’s joint forces.
“Beginning the steel cutting early means that all ships of this class are now under construction. This is far more than just a technical milestone — it is a strategic signal,” Rheinmetall Naval Systems CEO Tim Wagner stated.
“In the current geopolitical security environment, which is changing faster than ever before, we, as an industrial partner, are doing our part to accelerate strengthening defence capabilities. Speed is now a security-relevant factor — and this is exactly what we are focussing on.”
The Type 424 SIGINT Vessel
The German Navy’s Type 424 will feature a 132-meter (433-foot) hull and accommodate up to 100 personnel.
It will integrate electronic systems for surface and sub-surface intelligence while featuring a self-protection suite and low-noise engine for discreet operations.
In terms of performance, the platform is set to surpass its 84-meter (276-foot) predecessor, the Type 423, which employs Cold War-era SIGINT, early warning, and communications suite.
Illustration of the Type 424 reconnaissance ship for the Germany Navy. Photo: Felix Matthies/NVL Group