The Type 143A Gepard class was a class of missile bearing fast attack craft () and the last one in service with the German Navy before the remaining four operational ships were decommissioned on 16 November 2016.
It is an evolution of the , the main difference being the replacement of the second 76 mm gun by the RAM system. The Gepard-class vessels were gradually supplemented by s and later replaced completely by them.
The ships in class were named after small to medium-sized predatory animals; Gepard is German for "cheetah".
List of ships
NATOpennantnumberGermanpennantnumberNameCallsignCommissionedDecommissionedStatusP6121S 71 Gepard DRCE 7 December 198212 December 2014Museum ship in WilhelmshavenP6122S 72 Puma DRCF 17 February 1983 14 December 2015P6123S 73 Hermelin DRCG 28 April 1983 16 November 2016P6124S 74 Nerz DRCH 14 July 1983 31 March 2012Transferred to Ghana NavyP6125S 75 Zobel DRCI 28 September 1983 16 November 2016P6126S 76 Frettchen DRCJ 16 December 1983 16 November 2016P6127S 77 Dachs DRCK 22 March 1984 31 March 2012Transferred to Ghana NavyP6128S 78 Ozelot DRCL 25 May 1984 18 December 2014P6129S 79 Wiesel DRCM 12 July 1984 14 December 2015P6130S 80 Hyäne DRCN 13 November 198416 November 2016
The "S" and the number are part of the ship's full name. When the ships were first commissioned, their designation included only the number; however, the crews petitioned for full names, and the decision was made to combine the original names with the additional animal name.
Since 1 July 2006, all ships had formed part of the 7. Schnellbootgeschwader (7th Fast Patrol Boat Squadron), whereas for the eight years prior the flotilla was split into (hulls S 76–S 80) 2. Schnellbootgeschwader (2nd Fast Patrol Boat Squadron), and (hulls S 71–S 75) 7. Schnellbootgeschwader. The squadron was stationed in Warnemünde, where both predecessor squadrons had been based.
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