Germany Says Warship Order Intact Despite ‘Massive Delays’

Germany’s defense ministry denied reports it has decided to replace Dutch shipmaker Damen Shipyards on one of its biggest military procurement projects, although the multibillion-euro warship order remains under close scrutiny amid delivery delays.

Damen Naval’s €9 billion contract to design and manufacture six F126 frigates for Germany is facing “massive delays”, a spokesman for the German defense ministry said during a regular government news conference in Berlin on Thursday. He confirmed that no decision had been made to replace Damen and said the defense ministry is assessing how to proceed. The delays are expected to last years, they said.