NVL Group has commenced the official construction of the German Navy’s new Type 424 intelligence-gathering vessels (AGIs) by cutting the steel for the first reconnaissance ship. This action follows an amended contract signed in 2023, where the Bremen-based firm, in partnership with Lürssen Werft, was tasked with building three Type 424 ships to replace the German Navy’s aging Type 423 Oste-class AGIs. While specific features remain undisclosed, the ships are reportedly around 132 meters (433 feet) long and are designed for electronic and signals intelligence missions. The first Type 424 AGI is anticipated for delivery in 2029, with the subsequent vessels expected in 2030 and 2031. The contract also mandates NVL Group to provide training and a reference facility, scheduled for delivery in 2027.
