Fleet service boat "Oste" class (423)

The fleet service boats "Oste" class are designed as highly efficient early warning, communication and reconnaissance units. You can either fend for themselves as well as active and operate communications network with other units and departments of German and international forces.

By 1988 The FRG was building three new type 423 reconnaissance ships. The prototype, the A50 "Oste", was commissioned in September 1987. The ship's displacement is 2,400 tons, its length is 83.5 m, its width is 14.6 m, its draft is 9.4 m, and its speed is 19 knots.

They are equipped with ultra-modern, electromagnetic, acoustic and hydro electro-optical tracking devices and have already been used in the past on several occasions with great success for tasks of strategic intelligence gathering in crisis areas.

The fleet service boats OSTE class were put into service in 1988 and 1989. With its range of over 5,000 nautical miles driving, they are designed for extended reconnaissance missions. In addition to the permanent crew can position and order-specific telecommunications personnel and specialists are embarked for electronic reconnaissance.

The Navy currently maintains three fleet service boats: A52 OSTE, A50 ALSTER and A53 OKER. The boats are under the submarine flotilla based in Eckernförde.