The eight F122 Bremen class frigates of the German Navy have been commissioned between 1982 and 1990. The design is similar to the Dutch Kortenaer class but uses a different hull and propulsion system. The ships were built for anti-submarine warfare as primary task even though they are not fitted with towed array sonars. They are also suited for anti-aircraft warfare and anti-surface warfare.
This class of ship was one of the last to be constructed under post-war displacement limitations imposed by the WEU on West Germany.
The four oldest Bremen class frigates will be replaced by the planned F125 class frigates, starting probably around 2014. Until then they will serve as the backbone of the German Navy.
During the Cold War period, the ships' main war task was to escort convoys for reinforcement and resupply of Allied forces in Europe. They frequently took part in NATO Standing Naval Forces. Since 1990, all ships have served in additional supporting missions such as the embargo operations against former Yugoslavia in the Adriatic Sea or Operation Enduring Freedom against the international terrorism.
During their lifetime, the ships' equipment has frequently been modernised and a further adaptation of combat systems is foreseen in near future.
The Karlsruhe successfully assisted an Egyptian freighter repel pirates on December 25, 2008 in the Gulf of Aden.
Ships of the class
| F207 | Bremen | ||||||
| F208 | Niedersachsen | ||||||
| F209 | Rheinland-Pfalz | ||||||
| F210 | Emden | ||||||
| F211 | Köln | ||||||
| F212 | Karlsruhe | ||||||
| F213 | Augsburg | ||||||
| F214 | Lübeck |
All ships are based in Wilhelmshaven. Together they form the 4. Fregattengeschwader (4th Frigate Squadron) of the German Navy.
Fgs Bremen is seen here in Leith
Fgs Niedersachsen is seen here approaching Leith
Coming through the locks
Fgs Rheinland Pfalz seen here arriving at Leith on Friday 27 September 2010
Approaching the lock entrance
Entering the lock
