German corvette Magdeburg

The K130 Braunschweig class (sometimes Korvette 130) is Germany's newest class of ocean-going corvettes. Five ships have replaced the Gepard-class fast attack craft of the German Navy.

They feature reduced radar and infrared signatures ("stealth" beyond the Sachsen-class frigates) and will be equipped with two helicopter UAVs for remote sensing. Recently, the German Navy ordered a first batch of two UMS Skeldar V-200 systems for the use on the Braunschweig-class corvettes.[4] The hangar is too small for standard helicopters, but the pad is large enough for Sea Kings, Lynx, or NH-90s, the helicopters of the German Navy.

The German Navy has ordered the RBS-15 Mk4 in advance, which will be a future development of the Mk3 with increased range —400 km (250 mi)— and a dual seeker for increased resistance to electronic countermeasures.[5] The RBS-15 Mk3 has the capability to engage land targets.[6]

In October 2016 it was announced that a second batch of five more frigates is to be procured from 2022–25.[7] The decision was in response to NATO requirements expecting Germany to provide a total of four corvettes at the highest readiness level for littoral operations by 2018, and with only five corvettes just two can be provided.[8]

Magdeburg was laid down on 19 May 2005 and launched on 6 September 2006 in Hamburg. She was commissioned on 22 September 2008.[9]

7 May 2018,Magdeburg and KRI Usman Harun conducted a towing exercise in the Mediterranean Sea. Usman Harun act as the disabled ship while Magdeburg will be towing her.[10] Magdeburg conducted a UAV Saab Skeldar V-200 trial on her flight deck on 24 August 2018.[11]

• 
  Magdeburg being towed by tugs on 6 September 2006.
• 
  Magdeburg’s builders plaque.
• 
  Magdeburg moored on 13 August 2011.

• Warship International Staff (2007). "First of the German K 130 Class". Warship International. XLIV (4): 364–365. ISSN 0043-0374.