Saudi Arabia is reportedly holding preliminary discussions with Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) to evaluate the MEKO A-200 frigate as part of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces’ long-term procurement plan.
As reported by Tactical Report on November 5, 2025, Saudi Arabia is reportedly conducting exploratory discussions with the German shipbuilder Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) on the potential acquisition of MEKO A-200 frigates, as part of a broader effort by the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) to modernize its fleet and expand local industrial capacity under the Vision 2030 framework.
This potential interest follows the signing of a contract with Navantia in December 2024 for three additional Avante 2200 corvettes, which complement earlier deliveries and represent the next phase of the Saudi naval expansion program. The RSNF is estimated to be allocating more than $4 billion in the coming years to reinforce its naval procurement pipeline, which includes acquisitions and modernization projects across both fleets. Discussions extend beyond frigate procurement to include possible interest in German patrol boats and future submarines, although such submarine programs remain at a preliminary stage. The overarching goal of this strategy is to strengthen maritime defense capabilities, safeguard critical shipping routes in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, and build a sustainable domestic shipbuilding and maintenance ecosystem to reduce dependency on foreign suppliers.
If exploratory talks between Saudi Arabia and Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems advance, future negotiations would likely cover not only shipbuilding but also the full range of lifecycle services TKMS provides to its naval customers. These include Integrated Product Support covering refit, modernization, maintenance, repair, in-service assistance, consulting, and logistics data management, all performed under international standards such as ASD S2000M. The company’s Product Support ensures availability of spare parts, special tools, and test equipment, while its Supply Chain Services manage stock, handle obsolescence, and deliver customized material packages through a global Original Equipment Manufacturer network.
TKMS also provides comprehensive training solutions, including simulator-based instruction, virtual and augmented reality modules, and the creation of shore-based facilities such as classrooms, workshops, and naval academies that it can operate for clients if required. In parallel, the firm offers retrofit options for sensors, uncrewed surface and aerial systems, autonomous underwater vehicles, energy systems, and directed-energy technologies, ensuring long-term modernization capacity. These service, training, and technology components would likely form a substantial part of any potential Saudi cooperation framework centered on the MEKO A-200.
The MEKO A-200 is a 121-meter-long frigate with a beam of 16.4 meters and a displacement of approximately 3,950 tons at full load. It carries a core crew of around 125 and can accommodate up to 49 embarked personnel. The propulsion architecture includes a 20 MW gas turbine driving a centerline waterjet, two 6 MW diesel engines driving low-noise propellers, and an advanced CODAG-WARP configuration that allows operation in either diesel or combined power modes. The ship can exceed 29 knots and has an operational range of over 6,500 nautical miles at 16 knots. Its design allows for the embarkation of either two six-ton helicopters or one eleven-ton helicopter, along with two unmanned aerial vehicles, enhancing flexibility in antisubmarine and reconnaissance missions. The vessel also carries two eight-meter rigid-hulled inflatable boats launched by side-mounted recovery systems. A forefoot skeg and active fin stabilizers improve sea-keeping, allowing sustained helicopter and boat operations up to sea state 6. The ship is constructed with a high-tensile steel hull divided into multiple watertight sections, each with autonomous control, electrical, and firefighting systems for improved survivability during damage control operations.