Frankenthal class minehunter

The Frankenthal class is a German Navy minehunter class built by Lürssen, Abeking & Rasmussen, and Krögerwerft for precise mine countermeasures in shallow waters. Bundeswehr data describe a non-magnetic steel hull, Seefuchs underwater drones, mine-laying rails, and a 27 mm MLG fit on the 54.4-meter MJ332 boats.

Various ConflictsUnspecified

Frankenthal class minehunter, Minehunter class, Naval Systems

Image source: File:FGS Homburg.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Profile

Origin: Germany
Built by: LürssenAbeking & RasmussenKrögerwerft
Type: Minehunter class
Service note: 1990s-present
Produced: 1992-1998
Number built: 10 German Navy boats
Variants: MJ332B, MJ332C, MJ332CL
Developed from: Hameln class minesweeper

Also Known As

Frankenthal class
Frankenthal-class minehunter
Type 332
MJ332
MJ 332
Minenjagdboot Frankenthal-Klasse

naval maritime mine warfare sonar uuv undersea warfare

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

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: German Navy minehunter class in service from the 1990s; the Bundeswehr lists ten MJ332 boats based in Kiel.
Used by: German Navy

Conflict Usage

Side: Unspecified

The Frankenthal-class minehunter Homburg/M1069 is documented in Bundeswehr material operating in the western Mediterranean under Operation Active Endeavour. A German situation report also places Homburg with SNMG2 during Operation Active Endeavour in 2014. I found counter-terrorism/maritime-security deployment evidence, not evidence that the class cleared mines in combat.

Timeline

Frankenthal class minehunter Key Events

Jul 7, 1993
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
Sep 26, 1995
Homburg commissioned
The Bundeswehr class page lists Homburg (M1069) as entering service on 26 September 1995.
Sources: Die Minenjagdboote der Frankenthal-Klasse - Bundeswehr
Oct 23, 2023
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

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: 2026-06-25 Frankenthal (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: 2026-06-25 MJ-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: 2026-06-25 Bundeswehr 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: 2026-06-25 File:FGS Homburg.jpg - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the primary Homburg photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 File: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: 2026-06-25 File:Minenjagdboot Grömitz.JPG - Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for a second gallery photo of the class. | Accessed: 2026-06-25