Kulmbach-class

The Type 333 Kulmbach class consisted of five minehunters operated by the German Navy. These vessels were originally constructed as Type 343 Hameln-class minesweepers and later underwent conversion to the minehunter configuration. While the conversion process occurred between 1999 and 2001, the ships were not formally recommissioned, and their official service records reflect their original commissioning dates as Type 343 boats between 1989 and 1991.

The class was designed for the detection and neutralization of naval mines. For these operations, the ships utilized hull-mounted DSQS-11 mine-detection sonar and PALIS processing systems. Target neutralization was carried out using Seefuchs expendable drones. Navigation and communication were supported by GPS-Navstar and digital data links. For defense, the vessels were equipped with an M 20/2 fire-control system and decoy launchers. The armament was transitioned from dual-purpose guns to remote-controlled autocannons, supplemented by surface-to-air missile stands. The ships also maintained the capability to perform mine-laying duties.

The Kulmbach class was stationed at Kiel Naval Base on the Baltic Sea as part of the 3. Minensuchgeschwader (3rd Minesweeping Squadron). The class comprised five individual ships: Kulmbach, Überherrn, Passau, Laboe, and Herten. The vessels were decommissioned between 2012 and 2016. The Kulmbach and Laboe were the first to leave service in March 2012, followed by the Passau in September 2013. The remaining two ships, Überherrn and Herten, were decommissioned in June 2016.