Rheinmetall Completes Milestone with Christening of Final K130 Corvette for German Navy

Rheinmetall Completes Milestone with Christening of Final K130 Corvette for German Navy

(IN BRIEF) Rheinmetall has completed a significant milestone in its naval shipbuilding programme with the christening of the fifth K130-class corvette, named LÜBECK, at its Hamburg shipyard. The vessel is part of a second batch designed for coastal operations, particularly suited for reconnaissance and anti-surface missions in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Following final outfitting and testing, the ship will be commissioned into service with the German Navy. The programme, delivered through a consortium including TKMS and German Naval Yards Kiel, reflects Germany’s ongoing efforts to enhance maritime defence capabilities and support NATO commitments, while also showcasing Rheinmetall’s expanding role in naval systems development.

(PRESS RELEASE) DÜSSELDORF, 30-Apr-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Rheinmetall AG has marked a key milestone in its naval shipbuilding programme with the christening of the fifth and final K130-class corvette from the second batch for the German Navy. The ceremony took place at the Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg, attended by representatives from government, industry, and the armed forces.

The vessel, measuring approximately 89 meters in length, was officially named LÜBECK during the ceremony. The event was attended by senior figures including Vice Admiral Axel Deertz, as well as officials from Germany’s Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support of the Armed Forces. The Mayor of Lübeck, Jan Lindenau, was also present, reflecting the symbolic connection between the ship and the city it represents.

The christening marks the completion of the construction phase for the second batch of K130 corvettes, which are specifically designed for coastal operations. These vessels are optimized for reconnaissance and anti-surface warfare missions, particularly in regions such as the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, where agility and precision are critical.

Armin Papperger highlighted the importance of the milestone, noting that it represents the company’s growing role in naval defence through its Naval Systems division. He emphasized the contribution of employees and partners in delivering advanced naval platforms that support both national defence and NATO commitments.

Following the christening, the corvette LÜBECK will undergo final outfitting in Hamburg before entering a series of functional tests and acceptance procedures in coordination with the German Navy and relevant authorities. These steps are necessary before the vessel can be formally commissioned into service.

Tim Wagner noted that with the final vessel now christened, the programme is entering its concluding phase. The next milestones include the delivery of additional corvettes, such as EMDEN and KÖLN, expected within the year.

The K130 programme is being carried out by a consortium led by Rheinmetall’s Naval Systems division, in partnership with TKMS and German Naval Yards Kiel. The collaboration reflects a coordinated effort within Germany’s defence industry to strengthen naval capabilities and deliver modern, mission-ready vessels.

Overall, the completion of this batch of corvettes underscores the continued investment in maritime defence and highlights the importance of advanced naval systems in safeguarding strategic waters and supporting international security operations.

Media Contact:

Oliver Grün
Spokesperson Naval Systems
Phone: +49 171 3048 679

SOURCE; Rheinmetall