German navy cancels frigate program, Dutch shipyard seeks compensation

In 2020 the German navy placed an order for four F126 frigates with the Dutch shipbuilder Damen, a contract later enlarged to six vessels under Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen and later Boris Pistorius. By late 2025 the project faced serious setbacks, and Rheinmetall stepped in as a potential saviour before Pistorius decided to terminate the programme, describing the move as hard but ultimately required. Damen’s attorney Peter Gauweiler has written to the Bundestag’s budget committee, asserting that the government and the shipyard had cooperated on challenges and that the state’s own actions contributed to missed deadlines.

He also sent a direct letter to the defence minister, accusing Pistorius of using compensation claims for political distraction. The ministry has engaged the law firm Hogan Lovells Cadwalader to defend its position, a move expected to generate significant legal costs.