Kobben-class

The Kobben class, designated Type 207, is a modified version of the German Type 205 submarine. Developed to fulfill the Norwegian Fleet Plan of 1960, the class was designed specifically for coastal operations. This design followed the Royal Norwegian Navy’s evaluation of the German Type 201 submarine U-3 between 1962 and 1964. Rheinstahl Nordseewerke GmbH constructed 15 vessels for Norway, with deliveries occurring between 1964 and 1967.

The class consists of diesel-electric coastal submarines. Between 1985 and 1993, six units underwent modernization that included lengthening the hulls and the installation of new sonar equipment. One vessel, HNoMS Ula, was used for research on submarine stealth properties as part of the Anglo Netherlands Norwegian Cooperation Program.

The Royal Norwegian Navy operated the class until its withdrawal in 2001, when it was replaced by the Ula class. In November 1972, HNoMS Sklinna conducted a 14-day operation in the Sognefjord after reporting contact with a suspected Whiskey-class submarine.

The Royal Danish Navy acquired four units beginning in 1989, designating them the Tumleren class. Three vessels were modernized for operational service, while the fourth was used for spare parts. HDMS Sælen participated in the 2003 invasion of Iraq between May 2002 and June 2003. All Danish units were decommissioned in 2004.

The Polish Navy received five vessels starting in 2002. Four units entered active service and one was used for spare parts. Prior to transfer, Polish crews underwent training and the boats were overhauled. The final operational Polish units, ORP Bielik and ORP Sęp, were decommissioned in December 2021.

Several vessels have been preserved as museum ships. HNoMS Utstein is located at the naval museum in Horten, Norway. Denmark preserved HDMS Springeren and HDMS Sælen. In Poland, ORP Sokół was transferred to the Naval Museum in Gdynia, and the former HNoMS Kobben was relocated to the Maritime Academy in Gdynia for crew training.