Braunschweig-class corvette
{{Short description|Stealth warship class of the German Navy}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image | Ship image = F264 FGS Ludwigshafen am Rhein (30156595011).jpg | Ship caption = Ludwigshafen am Rhein in 2016 }} {{Infobox ship class overview | Builders = | Operators = *{{navy|Germany}}
| Class before = {{sclass|Gepard|fast attack craft|4}} | Class after = | Subclasses = {{sclass2|Sa'ar 6|corvette|4}} | Built range = 2004–present | In commission range = 2008–present | Cost = *{{ShipCost|DEU|240|m|year=2001}} per ship (Batch 1)
| Total ships planned = 10 | Total ships building = 4 | Total ships completed = 6 | Total ships cancelled = | Total ships active = 5 | Total ships laid up = | Total ships lost = | Total ships retired = | Total ships preserved = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship type = Corvette | Ship displacement = {{Cvt|1840|t|LT|lk=on}} | Ship length = {{Convert|89.12|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{Convert|13.28|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship draft = {{Convert |3.4|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship propulsion = 2 MTU 20V 1163 TB 93 diesel engines producing 14.8MW, driving two controllable-pitch propellers. | Ship speed = {{Convert|26|kn|lk=in}} | Ship range = {{Convert|4000|nmi|lk=in|abbr=on}} at {{Convert|15|kn|abbr=on}}{{cite press release|url=http://www.thyssenkrupp.com/en/presse/art_detail.html%26eid%3DTKBase_1201525684661_1120168579|title=Corvette Braunschweig Handed Over|publisher=ThyssenKrupp AG|date=30 January 2008|access-date=14 May 2015|archive-date=13 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213141347/http://www.thyssenkrupp.com/en/presse/art_detail.html%26eid%3DTKBase_1201525684661_1120168579|url-status=dead}} | Ship endurance = 7 days; 21 days with tender | Ship complement = 65 : 1 commander, 10 officers, 16 chief petty officers, 38 enlisted | Ship capacity = | Ship aircraft = Helicopter pad and hangar for two drones {{Cite web|url=https://www.hartpunkt.de/marine-projekt-mit-hubschrauberdrohne-ums-skeldar-beendet/|title=Marine: Projekt mit Hubschrauberdrohne UMS Skeldar beendet|publisher=hartpunkt.de|date=2 July 2024|accessdate=4 July 2024|language=de}} | Ship sensors = *Cassidian TRS-3D (Batch 1) or TRS-4D (Batch 2) multifunction Passive electronically scanned array C-Band radar
| Ship EW = *2 × TKWA/MASS (Multi Ammunition Softkill System) decoy launcher
| Ship armament = * Guns:
| Ship armor = | Ship notes = }} |
The K130 Braunschweig class (sometimes Korvette 130) is Germany's newest class of ocean-going corvettes. Five ships have replaced the {{sclass|Gepard|fast attack craft}} of the German Navy.
In October 2016 it was announced that a second batch of five more corvettes, originally to be procured from 2022–2025 but now reportedly delayed.{{cite web | url=https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/euronaval-2022/2022/10/germanys-k130-batch-2-corvette-program-2-years-behind-schedule/ | title=Germany's K130 Batch 2 Corvette Program 2 Years Behind Schedule | date=17 October 2022 }}{{Citation|work=Faz|url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/politik/inland/fuenf-neue-korvetten-fuer-die-bundeswehr-14481903.html|title=Fünf neue Korvetten für die Bundeswehr|date=14 October 2016 }}. The decision was in response to NATO requirements expecting Germany to provide a total of four corvettes at the highest readiness level for littoral operations by 2018, and with only five corvettes just two can be provided.{{Citation|url=http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2016/november-2016-navy-naval-forces-defense-industry-technology-maritime-security-global-news/4561-german-navy-to-get-five-more-k130-braunschweig-class-corvettes.html|title=German Navy to Get Five More K130 Braunschweig-class Corvettes|work=Navy recognition|date=14 November 2016}}.
Technical details
They feature reduced radar and infrared signatures ("stealth" beyond the capabilities of those of the {{sclass|Sachsen|frigate}}s), and will be equipped with two helicopter UAVs for remote scouting. The German Navy ordered a first batch of two UMS Skeldar V-200 systems for use on the Braunschweig-class corvettes, but the project was cancelled because the drones did not meet the required milestones.{{Cite web |date=2 July 2024 |title=Marine: Projekt mit Hubschrauberdrohne UMS Skeldar beendet |url=https://www.hartpunkt.de/marine-projekt-mit-hubschrauberdrohne-ums-skeldar-beendet/ |access-date=4 July 2024 |language=de-DE}} The hangar is too small for standard helicopters, but the pad is large enough for Sea Kings, Lynx, or NH-90s, the helicopters of the German Navy.{{Cite web |title=Corvettes - Naval vessels {{!}} NVL |url=https://nvl.de/en/naval-vessels/corvettes |access-date=4 July 2024 |website=nvl.de}}
Originally, the K130 class was supposed to be armed with the naval version of the Polyphem missile, an optical fiber-guided missile with a range of {{convert|60|km|mi|abbr=on}}, which at the time was under development. The Polyphem program was cancelled in 2003 and instead the designers chose to equip the class with the RBS-15. While the RBS-15 has a much greater range of {{convert|250|km|mi|abbr=on}}, the current version mounted on the ships, Mk3, lacks the ECM-resistant video feedback of the Polyphem. The German Navy had ordered the RBS-15 Mk4 in advance, which is a development of the Mk3 with increased range —{{convert|400|km|mi|abbr=on}}— and a dual seeker for increased resistance to electronic countermeasures.{{cite web|url= http://www.marine.de/portal/a/marine/waffenun/korvette/braunschweig/neueaufg?yw_contentURL=/01DB070000000001/W26ARD6S756INFODE/content.jsp|title=de:Neue Aufgaben der Marine mit moderner Ausrüstung|language=de|publisher=German Navy|date=17 May 2004|access-date= 14 May 2015}} The RBS-15 Mk3 has the capability to engage land targets.[http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2016/june-2016-navy-naval-forces-defense-industry-technology-maritime-security-global-news/4074-german-navy-k130-corvettes-ready-for-saab-rbs-15-mk3-anti-ship-missiles.html German Navy K130 Corvettes Ready for Saab RBS-15 Mk3 Anti-Ship Missiles], Navy recognition, 8 June 2016.
=Difficulty of classification=
Vessels of this class do not have an executive officer ({{langx|de|Erster Offizier}}). Traditionally, in the German Navy, this was used as a rule to classify a vessel as a boat, not a ship. In a press release, the German Navy stated that these corvettes will be called ships nonetheless because of their size, armament, and endurance.{{cite web|url=http://www.presseportal.de/pm/67428/1339764/presse_und_informationszentrum_marine/rss|title=Warum Korvetten Schiffe und keine Boote sind|trans-title=Why corvettes are ships and not boats|last=Struckhof|first=Detlef|date=22 January 2009|publisher=Presse- und Informationszentrum Marine|language= de|access-date=3 February 2010}} The commanding officer wields the same disciplinary power as a German Army company commander, not that of a battalion commander as is the case with the larger German warships such as frigates.{{cite web|url=http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/wdo_2002/BJNR209310001.html |title=Wehrdisziplinarordnung (WDO)|language= de|publisher= German Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection|access-date=14 May 2015}} However, in size, armament, protection, and role, these corvettes resemble modern antisurface warfare light frigates, the main difference being the total absence of any antisubmarine warfare related sensors or weapons.{{Cn|date=January 2021}}
Contracting
The contract for first five ships was awarded in December 2001 Blohm+Voss, at that time owned by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, Nordseewerke, and Friedrich Lurssen Werft. The first ship, the Braunschweig, built at Blohm+Voss, was launched in April 2006 and was commissioned in April 2008. The second ship was commissioned in 2008.{{cite web|title=K130 Braunschweig Class Corvette|url=https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/k130corvette/|access-date=30 April 2018|work=Naval Technology}} The final three ships in Batch I were commissioned in 2013.{{cite web|title=K130 Braunschweig class|date=13 August 2013 |url=http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/world-naval-forces/west-european-navies-vessels-ships-equipment/german-navy-marine-germany-vessels-ships-equipment/corvettes-and-opv/1189-k130-braunschweig-class-corvette-korvette-f260-magdeburg-f261-erfurt-f262-oldenburg-f263-ludwigshafen-am-rhein-f264-german-navy-deutsche-marine-tkms-blohm-voss-datasheet-pictures-photos-video-specifications.html|publisher=Navy Recognition|access-date=1 May 2018|language=en-gb}} Severe problems with the gearing provided by MAAG GmbH of Winterthur, Switzerland, delayed the commissioning of the corvettes. Further issues occurred with the air-conditioning system and exposure to toxins from exhaust and missile systems.{{cite news|url=http://www.presseportal.de/pm/6561/2065764/milliardenprojekt-korvette-130-pannenserie-reisst-nicht-ab-marineinspekteur-fordert-schaerfere|title=Milliardenprojekt Korvette 130: Pannenserie reißt nicht ab - Marineinspekteur fordert schärfere Kontrolle|language=de|work=Norddeutcher Rundfunk via PressPortal|date=20 June 2011|access-date=14 May 2015}}
In May 2015, the Israeli government ordered four {{sclass2|Sa'ar 6|corvette|1}}s, whose design by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems will be loosely based on that of the Braunschweig-class corvette,{{cite news|last1=Azulai|first1=Yuval|title=Israel signs €430m deal for German patrol vessels|url=http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-israel-signs-430m-deal-for-german-patrol-vessels-1001035494|access-date=14 May 2015|work=Globes|date=11 May 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513233330/http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-israel-signs-430m-deal-for-german-patrol-vessels-1001035494|archive-date=13 May 2015}} but with engineering changes to render the baseline platform more militarily robust.[http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/naval/navy/2016/08/04/israel-submarine-ship-corvette-dolphin-germany/88061450 Israeli Navy Marks Milestones at German Shipyards], By: Barbara Opall-Rome, 4 August 2016
In April 2017, the German government announced a contract for a further five ships to the same group as before, but the process under which it had been awarded was challenged at the German Federal Cartel Office by the German Naval Yards and the contract was voided in May.{{cite news|title=Germany's K130 corvette construction award violates public procurement law, says tribunal - Naval Technology|url=https://www.naval-technology.com/uncategorised/newsbundeswehrs-k130-corvette-development-award-to-previous-contractor-violates-public-procurement-law-5819493/|work=Naval Technology|date=21 May 2017}}{{cite news|title=Germany awards €2.4bln contract for five new K130 corvettes|url=https://navaltoday.com/2017/09/13/germany-awards-e2-4bln-contract-for-five-new-k130-corvettes/|work=Naval Today}}
In September 2017, the German Navy commissioned the construction of five more corvettes in a consortium of North German shipyards. Lürssen will be the main contractor in the production of the vessels. The contract is worth around 2 billion euros.{{cite news|url=https://www.abendblatt.de/hamburg/article211919755/Riesenauftrag-von-der-Bundeswehr-Blohm-Voss-auf-Jahre-gerettet.html|title=Riesenauftrag von Bundeswehr: Blohm+Voss auf Jahre gerettet|publisher=Hamburger Abendblatt|date=13 September 2017|language=de|first=Martin|last=Kopp}} In April 2018, the German government announced the specific arrangements under which the five new K130s would be built.{{cite news|title=Four Shipyards Agree to Build New German Corvettes|url=http://www.defense-aerospace.com/articles-view/release/3/192245/four-shipyards-agree-to-build-new-german-corvettes.html|work=www.defense-aerospace.com|date=9 April 2018}}{{cite news|title=Wie Blohm+Voss vom Bau neuer Korvetten profitiert|url=https://www.abendblatt.de/wirtschaft/hafen-und-schifffahrt/article213939181/Wie-Blohm-Voss-vom-Bau-neuer-Korvetten-profitiert.html|work=Hamburger Abendblatt|date=6 April 2018|language=de-DE}}
Plans to build a third batch (i.e. ships 11–15) are under consideration, ships from the first batch (i.e. ships 1–5) would be decommissioned from 2025 and sold to a NATO ally in order to avoid modernization costs.{{Cite web|last=Editorial|first=Defense Brief|date=14 July 2021|title=Germany begins construction of fourth of five new K130 corvettes|url=https://defbrief.com/2021/07/14/germany-begins-construction-of-fourth-of-five-new-k130-corvettes/|access-date=6 January 2022|website=Defense Brief|language=en-US}}
In September 2022 it was reported that increasing difficulties in integrating the command and control systems for the Batch 2 ships had resulted in a cost growth of 401 million Euros and at least a two year delay for the completion of the lead Batch 2 vessel, and potentially cascading delays for the next two ships in the Batch 2 program as well.
Sabotage
In February 2025, German media reported an incident aboard {{ship|German corvette|Emden||2}}. During a routine maintenance check on the yet to complete corvette, significant amounts of metal shavings were found in the main gear. If the engine had been started, these objects would have caused significant damage, further delaying the programme. The Hamburg State Criminal Police Office and the German Military Counterintelligence Service BAMAD are conducting an investigation, suspecting sabotage.{{Cite web |last=WDR |first=Manuel Bewarder, NDR/WDR und Florian Flade |title=Sabotage an neuem Kriegsschiff "Emden"? |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/investigativ/ndr-wdr/sabotage-marine-ostsee-100.html |access-date=26 February 2025 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}}
Ships in class
The ships were not built at a single shipyard; sections were constructed at different locations at the same time and later married together. The table lists the yard where the keel-laying ceremonies were held. Due to the decommissioning of the Gepard class, five additionally being constructed from 2019–2025.{{Citation|title=Bundeswehr soll neue Korvetten bekommen| newspaper=N-TV|language=de|url=http://www.n-tv.de/politik/Bundeswehr-soll-neue-Korvetten-bekommen-article18863466.html |trans-title=Bundeswehr to get new corvettes |date=15 October 2016 |access-date=19 August 2024}}
Images
File:Korvette Braunschweig F260 2895.jpg|Braunschweig
File:MAGDEBURG 130-02 2008-03-04 03.jpg|Magdeburg
File:Korvette Oldenburg F 263.JPG|Oldenburg
File:Korvette Ludwigshafen (F 264).jpg|Ludwigshafen am Rhein
See also
- {{Sclass|Steregushchiy|corvette|1}}
- List of naval ship classes in service
References
{{reflist}}
Bibliography
- {{cite journal|last1=Warship International Staff|year=2007|title=First of the German K 130 Class|journal=Warship International|volume=XLIV|issue=4|pages=364–365|issn=0043-0374}}
External links
{{Commons category|Braunschweig class}}
- [http://www.marine.de/01DB070000000001/CurrentBaseLink/W2698KW8296INFODE Korvette Braunschweig-Klasse] @ Marine (official homepage of the German Navy)
- [https://archive.today/20130102183637/http://www.blohmvoss-naval.com/en/corvette-class-130.html Manufacturer's website]
{{Braunschweig-class corvette}}
{{Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft}}
{{Ship classes of the Deutsche Marine|noshipclass}}