Financial Times reports Germany will abandon plans to build six F126 frigates —
a program meant to produce the country's largest warship since WWII — and
Instead procure eight smaller Meko A-200 frigates, two people familiar with the
matter said. Defense minister Pistorius and senior officials notified industry
representatives and senior MPs on Tuesday. The move strips Rheinmetall of an
expected prime-contractor role on the EUR 12.8 bln F126 program and marks one
of Berlin's most serious recent defense procurement failures.
