Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft AG began the building of a new frigate for the German Navy. The frigate "Hamburg" is the second in a series of three frigates of Class 124 to be built by the three German shipyards Blohm+Voss GmbH (Hamburg), Thyssen Nordseewerke GmbH (Emden) and HDW. The shipyards joined forces for this contract as Working Group 124 (ARGE 124). HDW will deliver the frigate in December 2004.

The frigate Class 124 is based on Class 123. The difference to the previous class lies in the different task fields. Whereas Class F123 was particularly destined for ASW tasks in the scope of escort and security duties, the main task of the new frigate class will be the protection of formations and anti-aircraft duties.

It is the first time that an innovative, fully distributed data processing and command system with a real-time data bank and integrated communications network for a complex weapons system will be installed on a frigate of the German Navy. Another new feature is the HDW-designed combined propulsion system with a gas turbine and two diesel engines.