Meko 200-class
Summary
| Origin country | 🇩🇪 Germany |
| Category | Frigate |
| Subtype | Missile frigate |
| Manufacturer | Blohm + Voss |
| Year commissioned | 1987 |
| Units | F145 AMATOLA, F146 ISANDLWANA, F147 SPIOENKOP, F148 MENDI. 150 ANZAC, 151 ARUNTA, 152 WARRAMUNGA, 153 STUART, 154 PARRAMATTA, 155 BALLARAT, 156 TOOWOOMBA, 157 PERTH. F452 HYDRA, F453 SPETSAI, F454 PSARA, F455 SALAMIS. , F240 YAVUZ, F241 TURGUTREIS, F242 FATIH, F243 YILDIRIM, F244 BARBAROS, F245 ORUCREIS, F246 SALIHREIS, F247 KEMALREIS. F330 VASCO DE GAMA, F331 ALVARES CABRAL, F332 CORTE REAL. F77 TE KAHA, F111 TE MANA |
| Current operators | 🇬🇷 Greece |
Description
The MEKO 200 is a widely exported German frigate design, part of the Modular MEKO family of warships created by the Blohm + Voss shipyard. MEKO stands for "Mehrzweck-Kombination" (Multi-purpose Combination) and is a concept of modular warship construction. Each ship is constructed with standardized components, which streamlines maintenance and potentially lowers the cost of ownership over the ship's life.
The Anzac-class (MEKO 200ANZ) frigates saw upgrades to include RGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, Evolved Sea Sparrow missiles, Nulka active missile decoy bays, and a Petrel mine and obstacle avoidance sonar system among others. The Australian and New Zealand navies saw the benefits of advanced capabilities incorporated into their fleets through these frigates.
The Yavuz/Barbaros class (MEKO 200TN) variants, utilized by the Turkish Navy, initially consisted of ships built in Germany and Turkey. With the later Track IIA and IIB classes seeing significant improvements including CODOG propulsion and increased armament, these frigates are used not for naval superiority but as assets to deny the enemy access to the sea and minimize friendly casualties.
The Vasco da Gama class (MEKO 200PN) comprises three ships operated by the Portuguese Navy with the distinction of featuring a French 100mm naval gun for its main armament. This purchase fulfilled the navy acquisition needs indicated five years prior.
The Greek Navy employs Hydra-class frigates (MEKO 200HN) that were designed to meet high-level specifications for shock and pressure resistance, crucial for maintaining the integrity of on-board systems. These frigates took part in Operation Enduring Freedom during the years 2002-2003.
South Africa operates four Valour-class frigates (MEKO A-200SAN) with signature reduction measures and can host a range of helicopters and UAVs. An improved design of the MEKO 200 family, these ships feature advanced technology in their combat systems.
The Erradii class (MEKO A-200AN), used by the Algerian Navy, includes two frigates equipped with modern armament such as Umkhonto-IR surface-to-air missiles and RBS-15 Mk3 anti-ship missiles.
The most recent addition to the MEKO 200 family is the Al-Aziz class (MEKO A-200EN) with the Egyptian Navy as customers. Featuring advanced weaponry and electronics, the intent to procure a total of six frigates from Germany is indicative of their expanding naval capability.
Operators of the MEKO 200 class frigates are spread across diverse geographic regions: Algeria, Australia, Egypt, Greece, Portugal, South Africa, Turkey, and New Zealand. These ships serve various roles but are predominantly focused on surface water operations, anti-aircraft and anti-ship warfare.
Technical specifications
| Meko 200 | |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 3600 tons |
| Range | 11000 km at 18 knots |
| Crew | 220 members |
| Width | 14.8 m (48.6 ft) |
| Length | 118.0 m (387.1 ft) |
| Propulsion | 1 General Electric LM 2500 gas turbine with a power of 30,000 hp - 2 propellers |
| Thrust | 2480 hp |
| Armament | 1 VLS Mk.41 (48 missiles) + 1 127mm Mk.45 gun + 4 12.7mm machine guns + 6 T/ASM Mk.32 + 1 SH-2 helicopter |
| Maximum speed | 32 knots |