Kondor II-class

Summary

Description

The Kondor class minesweepers, known as Project 89, were designed in the German Democratic Republic and collectively earned the NATO designation "Kondor." The series comprised three iterations: a prototype unit (Project 89.0), a first version (Project 89.1 or Kondor I), and a second version (Project 89.2 or Kondor II).

Kondor class vessels have seen extensive service across various national navies. Cape Verde operates a Kondor I vessel, renamed Vigilante (P 521), which was formerly used by the German Coast Guard and transferred in 1998. Estonia received two Kondor I vessels in 1994, but one of them, Sulev, was scrapped in 2000, and the other, Vambola, is laid up. Indonesia received nine Kondor II vessels around 1994 and continues to employ them actively. Latvia had two Kondor II vessels in operation as minehunters until they were decommissioned in 2008. Malta acquired three Kondor I ships, which performed duties until 2004 before being replaced by modern patrol boats; two of these have since been scuttled to create artificial diving sites.

Moreover, Tunisia incorporated five Kondor I vessels into its navy to function as coastal patrol craft, though only one remains in service as per last reports. Uruguay's navy was bolstered by the addition of four Kondor II vessels in 1991. However, one of these, named Valiente, suffered severe damage and casualties due to a collision in 2000, subsequently being scrapped along with another ship, while the remaining two continue in service.

Technical specifications