Rohde & Schwarz has signed a contract to provide advanced communications and radar electronic support measures (C-ESM/R-ESM) from the R&S KORA family to the German Navy’s F124 Sachsen class frigates 

The agreement signed in Koblenz with the German Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use came after the German Bundestag's Budget Committee gave its approval. 

The R&S KORA systems, designed for integrated detection and analysis of emissions, will be installed on three F124 frigates and three land systems.  

This technology will empower crews to detect, identify, track, and analyse complex radar and communication signals, providing a situational awareness picture with high sensitivity and long range. 

The R&S KORA 40 system also includes a component for electromagnetic countermeasures (R-ECM) for self-protection, enhancing the frigates' defensive capabilities.  

These upgrades are part of a modernisation initiative to replace previous electronic warfare systems and are expected to serve until the end of the service life of the frigates or their replacement. 

Rohde & Schwarz managing director Alexander Philipp said: “The German Armed Forces rely on R&S KORA, a state-of-the-art, commercially available family of systems concept, to effectively leverage synergies.  

“Following the F125 class frigates and the recently expanded F126 class frigates, now increased to six units, as well as a boat class as a key capability carrier, the important air defence frigates of the F124 class are now also benefiting from this approach.”  

Manufacturing of the systems and components will take place at Rohde & Schwarz facilities in Bavaria and at the Maritime Competence Centre North in Kiel/Hamburg.  

The integration of the systems into the frigates will be executed through additional shipbuilding contracts. 

In addition, the German Navy will receive necessary training and reference equipment to optimise the use of the new systems.