ORP Bielik, formerly HNoMS Svenner (S309), was one of four Kobben-class submarines in service with the Polish Navy. The vessel and its sister ships were built in the period 1964–1967 by Rheinstahl Nordseewerke GmbH in Emden, West Germany for the Royal Norwegian Navy. The Kobben-class submarines were given to Poland in the 2002–2004[1] period after having been replaced by Ula-class submarines in Norway. Before entering active Polish service the boat was modified in Gdańsk. She was decommissioned in December 2021 alongside her sister Sęp, with the decommissioning marking the end of active service for the Kobben-class submarines.

Bielik
History
Poland
NameBielik
Commissioned2003
Decommissioned14 December 2021
HomeportGdynia
StatusDecommissioned
General characteristics
Class and typeKobben-class submarine
Displacement
  • 435 tons surfaced
  • 485 tons submerged
Length45.2 m (148 ft 4 in)
Beam4.9 m (16 ft 1 in)
Draft4.7 m (15 ft 5 in)
Speed18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph) submerged
Complement17
Armament8 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes

Citations

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  1. ^ Saunders, p. 557

Bibliography

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  • Saunders, Stephen, ed. (2004). Jane's Fighting Ships 2004–2005. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-2623-1.