The Future Australian Navy Ep.2 Meko A-200 Frigate #defencenews #naval #australia #shorts
Channel: Soldiers Five
Date: 27/02/2024

The German designed Meko A-200 , Meko being a blend of two German words meaning ‘multi-purpose combination,’ is currently in service with 8 navies worldwide the RAN’s own ANZAC class being one of these. And has well justified its sales tagline of workhorse of the seas. It’s latest generation the Meko A200 hull currently forms the basis for the Egyptian Al-Aziz class. 

Requiring a crew of only 120 in contrast to the 184 needed for the Hobart class, it could prove a potential salve for the Royal Australian Navies personnel woes.  

Typical armament is 32 VLS cells, torpedo tubes and a 5” main gun. The hull also contains a hangar large enough to accommodate the RAN’s MH-60R helicopter. 

sensor wise BAE systems already has a factory online in South Australia producing Australia’s indigenous CEAFAR radar towers for the existing ANZAC class frigates and the Egyptian navy has equipped their Meko’s with a towed array sonar for ASW ops.  

It’s biggest weaknesses would be the lack of CIWS or hull mounted sonar included in the base hull, and the typical litigious nature of German defence firms.