Gepard-class fast attack craft

The Type 143A Gepard class was a class of missile bearing fast attack craft (German: Schnellboot) and the last one in service with the German Navy before the remaining four operational ships were decommissioned on 16 November 2016. The Ghana Navy operates two such ships.

Puma
Class overview
Operators	German Navy  Ghana Navy
Preceded by	Albatros class
Succeeded by	Braunschweig-class corvette
In commission	1982-present
Planned	10
Completed	10
Active	2
Retired	8
Preserved	1
General characteristics
Type	Fast attack craft
Displacement	390 t (380 long tons)
Length	57.6 m (189 ft)
Beam	7.8 m (25 ft 7 in)
Draught	2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
Propulsion	4 × diesel engines, totalling 13,235 kW (17,748 hp)
Speed	40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph)
Complement	5 officers, 31 enlisted
Electronic warfare & decoys	Decoy launcher HOT DOG Chaff launcher DAG 2200 Wolke
Armament	1 × Otobreda 76 mm gun 4 × MM38 Exocet anti-ship missiles 1 × GDC RAM launcher, 21 cells 2 × MG50-1 machine guns Minelaying capability

It is an evolution of the Albatros class, the main difference being the replacement of the second 76 mm gun by the RAM system. The Gepard-class vessels were gradually supplemented by Braunschweig-class corvettes 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

NATO pennant number	German pennant number	Name	Call sign	Commissioned	Decommissioned	Status
P6121	S 71	Gepard	DRCE	7 December 1982	12 December 2014	Museum ship in Wilhelmshaven
P6122	S 72	Puma	DRCF	17 February 1983	14 December 2015
P6123	S 73	Hermelin	DRCG	28 April 1983	16 November 2016[1]
P6124	S 74	Nerz	DRCH	14 July 1983	31 March 2012	Transferred to Ghana Navy
P6125	S 75	Zobel	DRCI	28 September 1983	16 November 2016[1]
P6126	S 76	Frettchen	DRCJ	16 December 1983	16 November 2016[1]
P6127	S 77	Dachs	DRCK	22 March 1984	31 March 2012	Transferred to Ghana Navy
P6128	S 78	Ozelot	DRCL	25 May 1984	18 December 2014
P6129	S 79	Wiesel	DRCM	12 July 1984	14 December 2015
P6130	S 80	Hyäne	DRCN	13 November 1984	16 November 2016[1]

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.

Gallery

• 
  S71 Gepard
• 
  Exocet launchers onboard S74 Nerz
• 
  RAM launcher onboard S74 Nerz
• 
  S 75 Zobel