296 Bielek

Country:  Poland

Class, [Type]: Type 207 mod., [SSK].

Builder: Rheinstahl-Nordseewerke, Emden, Germany.

Launch date: 27 January 1967.

Commission date: 08 October 2003.

Displacement ( tons ): 483 surfaced, 538 submerged.

Dimensions ( metres ): 48,41 x 4,6 x 3,8

Main machinery: 2 x MTU 12V493 AZ 80 GA31L diesels ( 600 hp each ).

Speed ( knots ): 12 knots surfaced, 17 knots submerged.

Range ( miles ): 5.000 at 8 knots and snorkel, 141 at 6 knots submerged.

Complement: 18 ( 5 officers ).

Torpedoes: 8 x 533mm tubes ( bow ), 8 x Bofors Tp61 o DM-2A3 Seehake wire-guided torpedoes (Seehake not in Polands inventory, but the submarine can fire this type).

Radar: Navigation: 1 x Kelvin Hughes Type 1007.

Sonar: STN Atlas Elektronik DBQS-21F (CSU-83) suite, active and passive.

Countermeasures: EW: ArgoSystems AR 700 (intercept).

Callsign: SOWU ()

Comment: Ex - Svenner S-309 (Norway). Desing is based on the german Type 205, but these units are 2 meters longer (lengthened during modernization in the nineties) and are able to dive deeper. An initial class of 15 units that was to be decommissioned during the 2002-2005 period. Poland agreed to buy four of these units in 2002. Bielek is configured for training duties, is one meter longer than the rest and displaces 14 additional tons. Is equipped with an additional Pilkington CK 30 periscope. Operating depth is 190 meters.

Similar units:

 297 Kondor