Description

With a displacement of 500 tonnes this class of submarine is one of the smallest but most manoeuvrable armed submersibles in the world. It went into service with the Federal German Navy in 1973 as the 206 class and in 1987 it underwent a modernisation programme at HDW to become the 206A class. These submarines are characterised by low acoustic signature and amagnetic construction and have excellent manoeuvrability. Wire-guided torpedoes are located in 8 forward tubes. Top speed 17 knots, 22-man crew. At present 7 of these are stationed with the 1st U-Boot squadron in the Eckernförde.