Jaguar-class fast attack craft

Dommel in the late 1960s, showing her 40 mm guns
Class overview
BuildersLurssen, Bremen-Vegesack
Operators
Succeeded bySeeadler class
In commission1957–1975
Completed20
Retired20
General characteristics
TypeTorpedo boat (fast attack craft)
Displacement
  • 183.4 t (180.5 long tons) standard
  • 210 t (207 long tons) full load
Length42.60 m (139 ft 9 in)
Beam7.10 m (23 ft 4 in)
Draught2.30 m (7 ft 7 in)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 42 knots (78 km/h; 48 mph) max
  • 39 knots (72 km/h; 45 mph) max sustained
Range700 nmi (1,300 km; 810 mi)s at 35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph)
Complement39 officers and enlisted
Sensors and
processing systems
Navigation radar, surveillance radar
Armament

The Type 140 Jaguar-class fast attack craft is an evolution of the German torpedo boats (E-boats) of World War II. The design was developed by Lürssen and designated Schnellboot 55. The 20 boats that were built for the German Navy were in service from 1957 to 1975. Then the Jaguar-class boats were replaced in service with the Bundesmarine by the Tiger class.

The Jaguar-class boats were relatively well suited for high sea action. In NATO strategy it was their duty to intercept landing operations in the Baltic Sea, prevent transfers of ships of the Soviet Union and to keep the transatlantic supply lines open through the North Sea.

The Seeadler class differs from the Type 140 only in the model of engine.