Why Germany changed course on its frigate order

Why did the German Navy cancel its frigate order and turn to a different design?

Capacity, schedule, communication, and specification growth pushed Germany toward a less costly MEKO option, though the replacement remains a high-end frigate.

Germany's frigate change is attributed to urgent demand, a busy builder, and repeated specification changes. Damen had accumulated orders as navies responded to the war in Ukraine, while Germany wanted further revisions and a highly equipped ship. The alternative MEKO design is still described as a capable, expensive warship. The indicative comparison is roughly 1.2 to 1.3 billion euros per ship against about 800 million euros. Buying more replacement ships would absorb much of the saving in unit cost.