30 July 2026 – Rheinmetall has been awarded the contract to modernise the 143-meter-long frigate BAYERN at the end of the second quarter of 2026. As part of the service life extension program key systems of the frigate will undergo comprehensive modernisation at Rheinmetall’s Neue Jadewerft shipyard in Wilhelmshaven until 2029. The contract highlights the strategic importance of Rheinmetall’s service business within the Naval Systems division. Long-term maintenance, modernization, and lifecycle support are integral elements of the division’s portfolio, ensuring the operational readiness of complex naval systems over decades. The vessel is currently berthed at Neue Jadewerft, where major components are being removed.