The Naval Arsenal Warnowwerft repaired two patrol boats of the British Royal Navy in mid-May . This is the first time that the Bundeswehr operation is showing its location advantage for allies operating in the Baltic Sea.
After a short-term request from the Warnemünde Naval Base Command, the Royal Navy boats HMS Trumpeter and HMS Charger docked in Rostock on May 10th. They were then lifted up for workers on the underwater hull. Their maintenance and repairs were completed a week later.
“Our employees at the Warnow shipyard in Rostock already demonstrated their efficiency with the timely completion of the repair of the fleet service boat Alster” says Rainer Sacher, Managing Director of the Naval Arsenal. “Now they were able to do the same when repairing the two Royal Navy patrol boats . In addition to the German Navy, we also support our allies in the Baltic Sea with important work.” The process is a good example of the repair options and flexibility of the naval arsenal, which are also available at very short notice.
” Trumpeter” and ” Charger” belong to an association consisting of a total of six boats, which is currently on a training trip in the Baltic Sea. You will probably take part in the NATO maneuver BALTOPS in June and will be guests at the Kiel-Wik base during the Kiel Week.
The shipyard, which was officially taken over by the federal government on January 11 of this year, belongs to the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the German Armed Forces, as does the entire naval arsenal with its locations in Wilhelmshaven, Kiel and Rostock. The arsenal is responsible for the technical operational readiness of the Navy. The possibilities for self-repair have improved significantly with the acquisition of the Rostock location. At the same time, this significantly increases the capabilities of the Navy in national and alliance defense.
The Archer class comprises 16 patrol boats in service with the British Navy. There they are mainly used as “fast training boats”. They can operate in ports and narrow waters that are inaccessible to other warships. In this way, they can perform various special tasks. This includes the protection of British strategic nuclear submarines when entering and leaving the port, monitoring maritime security in straits, but also the practical training of junior officers.