German spy ship Oker returns from training deployment

The German Navy SIGINT/ELINT and reconnaissance fleet service ship FGS Oker is expected to return to naval base Eckernförd on March 31, following a two-and-a-half month training deployment.

During the deployment, FGS Oker trained 70 officer cadets and sailed 11,000 nautical miles in the process.

This was the first time officer cadets from the Naval Academy Mürwik embarked a fleet reconnaissance ship for basic nautical and seamanship on-board training.

FGS Oker visited ports of Great Britain, France, Ireland and Norway, training and sailing with ally ships along the way. The ship entered the ports of Brest, France, London, UK and Ramsund, Norway.

The FGS Oker (A 53) is third and final vessel in the Oste-class of purpose-built signals and electronic intelligence ships.

With a range of 5,000 nautical miles, the 83-meter-long ships are suited for longer reconnaissance missions. They were commissioned between 1988 and 1989 and have a complement of 36.

The other two units in the class are the A 50 Alster and A 52 Oste.