Braunschweig-class (K130)

The Braunschweig class, designated K130, is a series of ocean-going corvettes operated by the German Navy. Developed to replace the Gepard-class fast attack craft, the initial procurement of five vessels began following a 2001 contract award to a consortium including Blohm+Voss, Nordseewerke, and Lürssen Werft. The lead vessel entered service in 2008. In 2016, the German government authorized a second batch of five ships to fulfill NATO requirements for littoral operations. The Israeli Navy’s Sa’ar 6 class is also derived from this design.

The design utilizes stealth characteristics to minimize radar and infrared signatures. The ships are equipped with a flight deck that accommodates NH-90, Lynx, or Sea King helicopters, although the onboard hangar is sized for unmanned aerial vehicles. The primary missile system, the RBS-15 Mk3, was selected following the cancellation of the Polyphem program and provides the class with land-attack capabilities. The class does not carry anti-submarine warfare sensors or weapons. Despite the absence of an executive officer—a traditional criterion for boat classification in the German Navy—the service designates the K130 as a ship based on its size and mission endurance.

The first batch of five vessels reached full commissioning by 2013. Initial service was marked by technical issues related to the gearing systems, air conditioning, and exhaust exposure. Construction of the second batch began in 2019 but has encountered delays stemming from command-and-control integration challenges and legal disputes regarding the procurement process. In February 2025, authorities began investigating suspected sabotage on the vessel Emden after metal shavings were found in the propulsion gears during maintenance. The German Navy is considering the sale of Batch 1 vessels to NATO allies starting in 2025 as an alternative to funding mid-life modernizations.