THE German navy sailed up the Thames this week on a goodwill mission to London. The frigate Brandenburg berthed in the Pool of London by Tower Bridge on Friday for its four-day visit before weighing anchor yesterday
THE German navy sailed up the Thames this week on a goodwill mission to London.
The frigate Brandenburg berthed in the Pool of London by Tower Bridge on Friday for its four-day visit before weighing anchor yesterday (Monday).
The ship is armed with twin launchers for Exocet surface-to-surface missiles with a range of 30 miles, plus a launch system for 16 NATO Sea Sparrow medium-range surface-to-air missiles.
The 400ft-long Brandenburg was built in 1994. She has a speed of 29 knots powered by gas turbines and diesel engines and a range of 4,000 nautical miles.
The fighting ship accommodates 118, including 19 air crew, and carries two combat helicopters and a rigid inflatable for landing operations—which weren't needed on the goodwill voyage.
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