ɪnˈɪʃəli, sˈɪks vˈɛsəlz wɜːɹ ˈɔːɹdɚd, bˌʌt ðɪs wʌz lˈeɪɾɚ ɹᵻdˈuːst tə fˈoːɹ ˈæftɚɹ ɐn ˈɔːɹdɚ fɔːɹ sˈɪks mˈiːkoʊ wˈʌnhˈʌndɹɪd fˈoːɹɾi tˈaɪp ʃˈɪps wʌz plˈeɪst.
Initially, six vessels were ordered, but this was later reduced to four after an order for six MEKO 140 type ships was placed.