WASHINGTON -- Danish company OMT has unveiled its designs for a new family of ships it’s calling OMT O1. The O1 family of designs presents four distinct vessels: 85 Coast Guard, 85 Naval, 110 Naval, and 120 Naval Polar, with the number designating the length overall in meters.

The common denominator for the vessels is their modularity centered around a large mission deck optimized for easy integration, with a particular eye to solutions fitting standard ISO-containers. The design is largely system agnostic, with the customer able to pick their sensors, systems, and weapons of choice.

The 85 Coast Guard is an offshore patrol vessel (OPV) for coast guard-style missions, able to fit an optional deck gun and 3D air surveillance radar, while the mission bay can fit 11 TEU ISO container-sized mission modules. The corresponding 85 Naval trades three TEU ISO modules for a helicopter deck and a drone lift to the mission bay. The design also has a deck gun and options including vertical launch system (VLS) cells, anti-ship missile box launchers, and torpedoes. While the 85 Naval is a somewhat traditional light combatant, the 110 Naval is a dedicated surface combatant. Both unmanned and manned platforms can operate from the vessel's mission bay. The 110 Naval’s VLS cells are coupled with dedicated anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and a 57mm main deck gun. The 120 Naval Polar is reportedly similar to the Danish Arctic Patrol Vessel, though it is not the same design.

OMT has previously built the Knud Rasmussen-class oceanic patrol vessels and the Multi-Role Combat Vessel.

Source: Naval News
Associated URL: https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2026/01/denmarks-omt-unveils-new-o1-family-of-ship-designs/

ARLINGTON, Va. - The U.S. Navy has shelved plans to decommission seven Littoral Combat Ships (LCS), opting instead to retain the vessels to bolster its small surface combatant fleet. The decision, confirmed by service officials at the Surface Navy Association, reverses previous proposals to retire five Freedom class and two Independence class hulls well before the end of their intended service lives. The move will leave the Navy with a total of 28 active LCS platforms.

The decision to retain the ships follows the successful deployment of the first "mission packages" designed for mine countermeasures (MCM). Three Independence-class ships recently assumed the mine-hunting role in the U.S. 5th Fleet. This transition marked a milestone in naval operations as the Navy’s last four Avenger class mine ships in the Middle East were transported back to the United States from Bahrain this month to be dismantled. Four Avenger class ships remain deployed in Japan.

Beyond mine warfare, the Navy is repositioning the LCS as a high-tech testbed for lethal upgrades and robotic systems. Recent trials have integrated the MK 70 Typhon missile launcher, enabling the ships to fire Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) and Tomahawk cruise missiles. Additionally, the service is utilizing the large mission bays of the LCS to test autonomous systems, including fixed-wing Aerosonde drones and small unmanned surface vessels.

Source: USNI
Associated URL: https://news.usni.org/2026/01/27/navy-wont-decommission-more-littoral-combat-ships-officials-say

BERLIN - Delays to the F126 frigate program could prompt the German government to change course and order more MEKO A-200 frigates, German defense publication Hartpunkt reported on January 22.

Germany plans to receive six F126 frigates from Damen in total under a contract inked in 2020. The lead boat, Niedersachsen, was laid down in June 2024 and should be commissioned into service in 2030, while the other five are expected to follow from 2030-2034.

Uncertainty over the program's future, however, has reportedly prompted the German government to explore alternatives in case the F126 is ultimately canceled or the contract modified. According to Hartpunkt, the government has held talks with TKMS over a new contract for MEKO frigates that could total as many as eight boats if the F126 acquisition is terminated.

Funding has been provided for TKMS to procure long-lead parts and hold production slots, Hartpunkt reported.

Separately, Reuters reported on January 21 that parliament has been notified of a planned purchase of at least three MEKO frigates. Sources told Reuters that, should a contract be signed, TKMS could deliver the first boat by 2029, with successive units following each year thereafter.

Source: Hartpunkt
Associated URL: https://www.hartpunkt.de/bei-scheitern-von-f126-projekt-bis-zu-acht-meko-a-200-fuer-die-deutsche-marine-in-planung/