Financial Times reports Germany will abandon plans to build six F126 frigates —
a programme 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. Defence 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 programme and marks one
of Berlin's most serious recent defence procurement failures.
