The Project 89 minesweeper, also known as the Kondor class, was a class of minesweepers designed in the German Democratic Republic which was given the NATO designation of "Kondor". There were three versions, namely, the prototype unit, Project 89.0; the first version, Project 89.1 (NATO designation: Kondor I); and the second version, Project 89.2 (NATO designation: Kondor II).
Ships in class
Pennant
Name
In commission
Fate
Project 89.0
V32
unnamed
1967-1981
Project 89.1 (Kondor I)
V814
Greifswald
1969-1990
Sold in Guinea-Bissau as Mawia
S425
Bergen
1969-?
Fishing surveillance, 1981 as Warnemünde Transferred to Tunisia as Ras Ipirkia
S426
Anklam
1969-1976
Sport and training vessel, 1976 as Ernst Thälmann Rebuilt in the UK, Denmark and Israel
GS01
Ueckermünde
1969-1990 1992-2004
Transferred to Malta, 1992 as P30 Laid up as of 2013
Transferred to Indonesia, 1994 as KRI Pulau Rondo (725), later renamed KRI Kelabang (826)
V813
Rosslau
1972-1990
341
Oranienburg
1972-1990 1994–present
Transferred to Indonesia, 1994 as KRI Pulau Rusa (726)
342
Jüterbog
1972-1990 1994–present
Transferred to Indonesia, 1994 as KRI Pulau Rangsang (727)
343
Bernau
1972–2014
Transferred to Germany, 1990 as Bernau (M2673) Transferred to Uruguay, 1991 as Fortuna (ROU 33)
344
Eilenburg
1972-2000
Transferred to Germany, 1990 as Eilenburg (M2674) Transferred to Uruguay, 1991 as Valiente (ROU 32) Sunk after collision in 2000
322
Riesa
1973-1990 1991–present
Transferred to Uruguay, 1991 as Temerario (ROU 31)
323
Wilhem-Pieck-Stadt Guben
1973-1990
311
Sömmerda
1973-1991 1994–present
Transferred to Germany, 1990 as Sömmerda (M2670) Transferred to Indonesia, 1994 as KRI Pulau Raibu (728), later renamed KRI Kala Hitam (828)
312
Eisleben
1973–present
Transferred to Germany, 1990 as Eisleben (M2671) Transferred to Uruguay, 1991 as Audaz (ROU 34)
313
Gransee
1973-1990
314
Zeitz
1973-1981
315
Hettstedt
1973-1981 1994–present
Transferred to Indonesia, 1994 as KRI Pulau Raas (722)
316
Altenburg
1973-1990
314
Schönebeck
1973-1990
336
Grimma
1973-1990 1994–present
Transferred to Indonesia, 1994 as KRI Pulau Rempang (729) Decommissioned 15 October 2021
Project 131 (state yacht)
Ostseeland
1971-1990
Project 136 (survey vessel)
Carl Friedrich Gauß
1975-?
Transferred to Germany
Foreign service
Cape Verde
The Kondor I vessel Kuhlungsborn was used by the German Coast Guard. In 1998 it was transferred to Cape Verde and was renamed Vigilante carrying the pennant number P 521.[1] It is still in service.
Estonia
The Kondor I vessels Komet and Meteor were transferred to Estonia as Vambola and Sulev in 1994. Sulev was scrapped in 2000 while Vambola remains laid up awaiting to be scrapped.
Indonesia
Nine Kondor II vessels were transferred to Indonesia around 1994. Six of the vessels are still in active service. KRI Kala Hitam (828) (ex-Sömmerda) and KRI Kelabang (826) (ex-Zerbst) were converted into patrol vessels due to minehunting equipment failures.[2] KRI Pulau Rote (721) (ex-Wolgast) was decommissioned on 28 August 2019.[3] KRI Pulau Rempang (729) (ex-Grimma) was decommissioned on 15 October 2021.[4] KRI Pulau Romang (723) (ex-Pritzwalk) was decommissioned on 6 February 2024.[5]
Latvia
Two Kondor II vessels were transferred to Latvia in 1992 and were renamed Viesturs and Imanta. They were used as minehunters until they decommissioned in 2008.
Malta
Two Kondor I vessels, Ueckermünde and Pasewalk, were sold to Malta in 1992, where they were given the pennant numbers P30 and P31. A third ship, Boltenhagen, was also sold in 1997 and it was given the pennant number P29. The three vessels served with the Offshore Command of the Maritime Squadron of the AFM until they were decommissioned in 2004 and were replaced by more modern patrol boats. P29 was scuttled as an artificial diving site off Ċirkewwa in 2007,[6] while P31 followed being sunk off Comino in 2009.[7] As of 2013, P30 was laid up at Cassar Ship Repair Yard, Marsa.[8]
Tunisia
Five Kondor I minesweepers were transferred to the Tunisian Navy as coastal patrol craft according to Jane's Fighting Ships for 1999-2000.[9] Today only one is still in service.
Uruguay
The Kondor II vessels Riesa, Eilenburg, Bernau and Eisleben were transferred to Uruguay and renamed Temerario, Valiente, Fortuna and Audaz on 11 October 1991. Valiente was rammed by the Panamian freighter Skyros on 5 August 2000 and was torn in half with 8 sailors killed and 3 missing.[10]Fortuna was scrapped and the other two are still in service.
Hans Mehl, Knut Schäfer (2004). Die Seestreitkräfte der NVA (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuchverlag. ISBN3-61302406-3.
((East German Navy: German naval forces during the Cold War)), Volksmarine der DDR: Deutsche Seestreitkräfte im Kalten Krieg. 1999. by Friedrich Elchlepp, Walter Jablonsky, Fritz Minow, Manfred Röseberg. 360 pages. Verlag E.S. Mittler & Sohn, Hamburg-Berlin-Bonn. ISBN3-8132-0587-8 paperback, ISBN3-8132-0715-3 other. On page 231, "Verbleib der Schiffe und Boote nach Auflösung der VM" ((fate of ships after dissolution of the volksmarine)) ... Uruguay is listed as acquiring three Kondor-II class minesweepers.
((Ships and Boats of the East German Navy)), Schiffe und Boote der Volksmarine der DDR, by Manfred Röseberg, ISBN3-935319-82-7, Ingo Koch Verlag Rostock, 2002
((The other German Navy)), Die andere deutsche Marine, by H.Mehl / K.Schäfer, Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart, ISBN3-613-01675-3
((Military Tech series: Minesweepers and Ramming-ships)), Heft Minensuch- und Räumschiffe, Reihe Militärtechnische Hefte, by Bernd Oesterle, 1983, Militärverlag der DDR, Berlin
External links
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