Projekt 206FM-class

Summary

Description

The Projekt 206FM class, also known as the "Krogulec"-class under the NATO reporting name, was a series of mine-countermeasure vessels specifically designed and employed by the Polish Navy. These vessels originated in the mid-1960s as part of coastal minesweeping efforts to safeguard maritime zones. Initially referred to as Project 206F class, twelve ships were constructed at the Komuny Paryskiej Shipyard situated in Gdynia, Poland.

These mine-countermeasure ships were initially part of the 9th Coastal Defence Flotilla operating around the area of Hel. Designed as coastal minesweepers, the class eventually experienced significant updates, leading to three of these vessels undergoing modernization around the year 2000. The modernization efforts reflected not only in their improved capabilities but also in the change of their designation to Project 206FM for "Modernized."

Concerning armament, these ships were built with the primary mission of minesweeping in mind. Therefore, their equipment and systems were focused on the detection and neutralization of naval mines to ensure the security of Polish waterways and contribute to maritime safety.

Throughout their operational history, the majority of the Projekt 206FM class ships were decommissioned by the early 1990s, marking the end of their service in the traditional coastal defence role. However, the modernized versions continued to serve significantly longer as minehunters, reflecting the shift in naval strategy and technological advancements over the years. The last ship of the class was retired in December 2021.

Technical specifications