Summary
The Type 143A Gepard class was a class of missile bearing fast attack craft (German: Schnellboot) and the last one in service with the German Navy before the remaining four operational ships were decommissioned on 16 November 2016. The Ghana Navy operates two such ships.
 Puma
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Operators | |
| Preceded by | Albatros class |
| Succeeded by | Braunschweig-class corvette |
| In commission | 1982-present |
| Planned | 10 |
| Completed | 10 |
| Active | 2 |
| Retired | 8 |
| Preserved | 1 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Fast attack craft |
| Displacement | 390 t (380 long tons) |
| Length | 57.6 m (189 ft) |
| Beam | 7.8 m (25 ft 7 in) |
| Draught | 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) |
| Propulsion | 4 × diesel engines, totalling 13,235 kW (17,748 hp) |
| Speed | 40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph) |
| Complement | 5 officers, 31 enlisted |
| Electronic warfare & decoys | |
| Armament |
|
It is an evolution of the Albatros class, the main difference being the replacement of the second 76 mm gun by the RAM system. The Gepard-class vessels were gradually supplemented by Braunschweig-class corvettes and later replaced completely by them.
The ships in class were named after small to medium-sized predatory animals; Gepard is German for "cheetah".
List of ships edit
| NATO pennant number |
German pennant number |
Name | Call sign |
Commissioned | Decommissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P6121 | S 71 | Gepard | DRCE | 7 December 1982 | 12 December 2014 | Museum ship in Wilhelmshaven |
| P6122 | S 72 | Puma | DRCF | 17 February 1983 | 14 December 2015 | |
| P6123 | S 73 | Hermelin | DRCG | 28 April 1983 | 16 November 2016[1] | |
| P6124 | S 74 | Nerz | DRCH | 14 July 1983 | 31 March 2012 | Transferred to Ghana Navy |
| P6125 | S 75 | Zobel | DRCI | 28 September 1983 | 16 November 2016[1] | |
| P6126 | S 76 | Frettchen | DRCJ | 16 December 1983 | 16 November 2016[1] | |
| P6127 | S 77 | Dachs | DRCK | 22 March 1984 | 31 March 2012 | Transferred to Ghana Navy |
| P6128 | S 78 | Ozelot | DRCL | 25 May 1984 | 18 December 2014 | |
| P6129 | S 79 | Wiesel | DRCM | 12 July 1984 | 14 December 2015 | |
| P6130 | S 80 | Hyäne | DRCN | 13 November 1984 | 16 November 2016[1] |
The "S" and the number are part of the ship's full name. When the ships were first commissioned, their designation included only the number; however, the crews petitioned for full names, and the decision was made to combine the original names with the additional animal name.
Since 1 July 2006, all ships had formed part of the 7. Schnellbootgeschwader (7th Fast Patrol Boat Squadron), whereas for the eight years prior the flotilla was split into (hulls S 76–S 80) 2. Schnellbootgeschwader (2nd Fast Patrol Boat Squadron), and (hulls S 71–S 75) 7. Schnellbootgeschwader. The squadron was stationed in Warnemünde, where both predecessor squadrons had been based.
Gallery edit
-
S71 Gepard -
Exocet launchers onboard S74 Nerz -
RAM launcher onboard S74 Nerz -
S 75 Zobel
Notes edit
References edit
- "Schnellboot GEPARD-Klasse" (in German). German Navy. Retrieved 10 July 2013.