Naval Systems

Frankenthal class minehunter

Also known as
  • Frankenthal class
  • Frankenthal-class minehunter
  • Type 332
  • Class 332
  • MJ332
  • MJ 332
  • MJ332B
  • MJ332C
  • MJ332CL
  • MJ 332 CL
  • Frankenthal-Klasse MJ332B/C/CL
  • Minenjagdboot Frankenthal-Klasse
  • Minenjagdboote der Frankenthal-Klasse
  • Al Murjan class

The Frankenthal class is the German Navy's Type/Class 332 minehunter family, built from a Hameln-derived common platform by Lürssen, Abeking & Rasmussen, and Krögerwerft. Bundeswehr data describe ten MJ332 boats with non-magnetic steel hulls, Seefuchs/SeaFox mine-disposal drones, mine rails, diver facilities, and MJ332B, MJ332C, and MJ332CL mission fits, while former German hulls also served the UAE as Al Murjan-class mine-countermeasure vessels.

Frankenthal class minehunter, Minehunter class, Naval Systems
Image source: File:FGS Homburg.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Germany
Type
Minehunter class
Service note
1990s-present
Produced
1992-1998
Number built
10 German Navy boats
Developed from
Hameln class minesweeper common-platform design

Specifications

Displacement
650 t
Length
54.4 m
Beam
9.2 m
Draught
2.6 m
Speed
More than 18 kn
Crew
42
Propulsion
2 diesel engines, 4,100 kW total, 2 propellers
Sensors
WM20/2 search and fire-control radar and one navigation radar
Armament
1 x 27 mm MLG, 2 x 12.7 mm heavy machine guns, FIM-92 Stinger, 4 x mine rails, and Seefuchs UUV
Mine-countermeasure systems
Seefuchs/SeaFox mine-disposal underwater drone; MJ332CL boats can use up to four Seehund remotely controlled surface mine-clearance drones
Additional personnel
4 mine divers on Types 332C and 332CL; 12 mine divers on Type 332B
Modernization
IMCMS and SeaFox fitted across modernized boats; SeaCat long-range underwater reconnaissance drones procured for Class 332 integration with project completion planned for mid-2026
Mine Countermeasures Fit

The Frankenthal class combines a low-magnetic minehunter hull with unmanned systems, divers, and shipboard weapons for work in confined or shallow waters.

Mine hunting

Bundeswehr describes all ten MJ332 boats as minehunters that search for possible mines and use Seefuchs underwater drones to identify or destroy bottom and moored mines.

Clearance variants

MJ332CL boats can control up to four Seehund surface drones, while Type 332B boats are configured for larger mine-diver detachments.

Self-protection

The class uses a non-magnetic steel hull, quiet slow-speed movement, magnetic self-protection, a 27 mm MLG, heavy machine guns, and shipboard Stinger missiles.

Variants

Bundeswehr identifies the in-service Frankenthal family as MJ332B/C/CL, separating mine-diver mission boats, standard minehunter fits, and CL boats with Seehund-control capability.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
MJ332BMine-diver mission configuration

Bundeswehr describes two Type 332B boats as mine-diver mission boats able to embark the larger 12-diver additional personnel group.

Sources: Die Minenjagdboote der Frankenthal-Klasse - Bundeswehr

MJ332CMinehunter configuration

Bundeswehr distinguishes Type 332C from Type 332B/CL in the additional-personnel fit, listing four additional mine divers for Types 332C and 332CL.

Sources: Die Minenjagdboote der Frankenthal-Klasse - Bundeswehr

MJ332CLMinehunter and mine-clearance control configuration

Bundeswehr says three MJ332CL boats can use up to four Seehund surface drones; MarineLink describes the MJ 332 CL modernization as adding IMCMS, SeaFox, and Seehund control.

Sources: Die Minenjagdboote der Frankenthal-Klasse - Bundeswehr, Tech Upgrade for German Minehunting Vessels - MarineLink

Shipboard Guns

Bundeswehr lists the Frankenthal class with a 27 mm MLG in the standard weapons fit.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
Marineleichtgeschütz 27 mm, 27 mm remote-controlled naval gun, Naval SystemsMarineleichtgeschütz 27 mm27 mm remote naval gun

The class armament list includes one 27 mm MLG mounted on the boat.

Sources: Die Minenjagdboote der Frankenthal-Klasse - Bundeswehr

Carried Air Defense Weapons

Bundeswehr lists FIM-92 Stinger among the Frankenthal class armament fit.

Carried itemItem typeCarriage evidence
FIM-92 Stinger, Man-portable air-defense system, Air DefenseFIM-92 StingerMANPADS

Bundeswehr lists the Frankenthal class with FIM-92 Stinger among its armament fit.

Sources: Die Minenjagdboote der Frankenthal-Klasse - Bundeswehr

Laid Mines

Bundeswehr lists the Frankenthal class with four mine rails and says the boats can lay sea mines to block waterways or protect ports.

Launched itemItem typeLaunch evidence
Sea mine, Naval mine, MunitionsSea mineNaval mine

The class has four mine rails and a documented minelaying function for blocking waterways or protecting ports.

Sources: Die Minenjagdboote der Frankenthal-Klasse - Bundeswehr

Timeline

Frankenthal class minehunter Key Events

  1. Ten-ship MJ-332 order placed

    Forecast International reports a September 1988 order for ten MJ-332 ships split among Lürssen, Abeking & Rasmussen, and Krögerwerft.

    Sources: MJ-332 Frankenthal Class - Archived 4/2011 - Forecast International

  2. Rottweil commissioned

    The Bundeswehr class list shows Rottweil entering service in 1993, marking the early phase of Frankenthal-class German Navy service.

    Sources: Die Minenjagdboote der Frankenthal-Klasse - Bundeswehr

  3. Homburg commissioned

    The Bundeswehr class page lists Homburg (M1069) as entering service on 26 September 1995.

    Sources: Die Minenjagdboote der Frankenthal-Klasse - Bundeswehr

  4. Homburg joins Active Endeavour tasking

    A German situation report places Homburg/M1069 with SNMCMG2 in Operation Active Endeavour from 3 to 5 November 2014.

    Sources: Aktuelle Lage in den Einsatzgebieten der Bundeswehr 45/14

  5. MJ 332 CL modernization contract reported

    MarineLink reported the MJ 332 CL modernization project to add IMCMS, SeaFox, and Seehund-control capability to three Frankenthal-class boats.

    Sources: Tech Upgrade for German Minehunting Vessels - MarineLink

  6. Additional IMCMS upgrade contract signed

    Naval News reported a BAAINBw contract for Atlas Elektronik to equip five Frankenthal-class vessels with the latest IMCMS between 2022 and 2025.

    Sources: Atlas Elektronik Selected To Upgrade German Navy's Minehunter Vessels - Naval News

  7. SeaCat integration announced

    The Bundeswehr announced that SeaCat underwater reconnaissance drones would be integrated into class 332 minehunters, extending the class's sensing capability.

    Sources: Bundeswehr to receive new underwater reconnaissance drones

Media

Frankenthal class minehunter Videos

Frankenthal class minehunter Images

Frankenthal class minehunter, Minehunter class, Naval Systems - view 1
Source: File:M1063 Bad Bevensen Minenjagdboot der Frankenthal-Klasse der Bundeswehr (16557472387).jpg - Wikimedia Commons
Frankenthal class minehunter, Minehunter class, Naval Systems - view 2
Source: File:Minenjagdboot Grömitz.JPG - Wikimedia Commons
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Sources

Die Minenjagdboote der Frankenthal-Klasse - BundeswehrPublisher: Bundeswehr | Note: Supports the class role, the non-magnetic steel hull, Seefuchs underwater drones, Seehund drones, mine-laying rails, 54.4 m length, 650 t displacement, 4,100 kW propulsion, speed, crew, sensors, and armament. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Frankenthal (332 class) minehunters in detail - Abeking & RasmussenPublisher: Abeking & Rasmussen | Note: Supports the class's minehunter role, the common-platform design connection to the Hameln class, and Abeking & Rasmussen's manufacturer context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04MJ-332 Frankenthal Class - Archived 4/2011 - Forecast InternationalPublisher: Forecast International | Note: Supports the shipyard split among Lürssen, Abeking & Rasmussen, and Krögerwerft, plus the 1980s development and production background. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Bundeswehr to receive new underwater reconnaissance dronesPublisher: Bundeswehr | Note: Supports the ongoing integration of SeaCat underwater reconnaissance drones into class 332 minehunters and the service context for the class. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Tech Upgrade for German Minehunting Vessels - MarineLinkPublisher: MarineLink | Note: Supports the MJ 332 CL modernization, IMCMS and SeaFox integration, Seehund-control capability, and the split between modernized minehunter boats and mine-diver mission platforms. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Atlas Elektronik Selected To Upgrade German Navy's Minehunter Vessels - Naval NewsPublisher: Naval News | Note: Supports the 2021 BAAINBw/Atlas Elektronik IMCMS modernization contract and named Frankenthal-class vessels scheduled for 2022-2025 upgrades. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Aktuelle Lage in den Einsatzgebieten der Bundeswehr 45/14Publisher: Bundesministerium der Verteidigung | Note: Supports 2001 Operation Active Endeavour direct conflict-use: Homburg participated in OAE from 2014-11-03 to 2014-11-05 as part of SNMCMG2. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Marine Kalender 2022 - BundeswehrPublisher: Bundeswehr | Note: Supports 2001 Operation Active Endeavour direct conflict-use: identifies Homburg/M1069 in the western Mediterranean under Operation Active Endeavour. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Minenjagdboot Homburg mit Kurs Mittelmeer - PresseportalPublisher: Presse- und Informationszentrum Marine | Note: Supports Homburg's 2014 SNMCMG2 deployment context and planned repeated participation in Operation Active Endeavour. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Operation Active Endeavour 2001-2016 - NATOPublisher: NATO | Note: Supports the operation's Mediterranean maritime counter-terrorism patrol and monitoring context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Las minas navales en los conflictos actuales - Revista General de MarinaPublisher: Armada Española | Note: Supports 2014 Yemen Civil War direct conflict-use: describes coalition mine-neutralization activity and the July 2017 sinking of Emirati Frankenthal-class MHC Al-Qasnah near Mocha. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Maritime Security and Defence 2/2021Publisher: Maritime Security & Defence | Note: Supports 2014 Yemen Civil War direct conflict-use: identifies UAE Al Murjan vessels as former German Frankenthal-class MCMVs and reports one seriously damaged in 2017 during operations against Yemen's rebel forces. | Accessed: 2026-07-04File:FGS Homburg.jpg - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the primary Homburg photo. | Accessed: 2026-07-04File:M1063 Bad Bevensen Minenjagdboot der Frankenthal-Klasse der Bundeswehr (16557472387).jpg - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for a gallery photo of a Frankenthal-class boat. | Accessed: 2026-07-04File:Minenjagdboot Grömitz.JPG - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for a second gallery photo of the class. | Accessed: 2026-07-04