F126 frigate project: Boris Pistorius contradicts allegations about the end of the frigate project

Boris Pistorius (SPD) has sharply rejected the accusation of a breach of the law at the end of the F126 frigate project. The defense minister said that the statements on behalf of the Dutch Damen shipyard were a “prophylactic counterattack in advance of any further development.”

Pistorius said, without wanting to prejudge proceedings that have not yet begun, “it is also publicly known that the Damen shipyard knows that there could be claims for damages amounting to 2.3 billion euros on our part.”

The Mirror had reported that the Damen shipyard concerned was making serious allegations against Pistorius and the Bundeswehr procurement office. According to a letter from lawyer Peter Gauweiler, the former CSU member of the Bundestag, the contract was terminated “due to a hasty and arbitrary political decision and without legal justification.” We therefore reserve the right to make claims for damages.

First of all, it is legitimate for a company to defend itself against an order being canceled, said Pistorius. “But the basis for this is poor performance on the part of the contractor, and everyone involved knows that.” To be honest, he sees it calmly. In the end, the lawyers will examine that.” They considered very carefully why they were doing this and that they had to do it in order to be able to prevent further damage to taxpayers.

The decision to end the project was made in June

The Defense Minister decided to end the project in June. At that time, the ministry announced that the Dutch company Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding (DSNS), which was initially commissioned as general contractor, was unable to meet the time and financial constraints. The first ship with a so-called initial capability was originally scheduled to be delivered in mid-2028. More should have followed by 2033. Recently, however, this had become completely unrealistic.