The Type 206 displaced 450 tons surfaced and 500 tons submerged. Overall length was 160 feet with a beam of 15 feet and a draught of 14 feet. Power included 2 x MTU marine diesels with a single Siemens-Schuckert-Werke electric motor driving a single propeller shaft astern. The diesels outputted 600 horsepower for surface work while the electric set offered 1,500 horsepower for undersea traveling. Maximum speed in ideal conditions reached 10 knots surfaced and 17 knots submerged. Range was a useful 4,500 nautical miles.
The compact nature of these submarines was due to their intended role of patrolling and attacking in Soviet waters in and around the Baltic in the event of Total War. A compact submersible was easier to handle in confined spaces, as well as shallow waters, though at the expense of internal volume and limited range. The crew numbered just twenty-two men and only eight torpedoes were carried for the 8 x 533mm torpedo tube arrangement. The submarine could also manage mine warfare sorties by carrying up to 24 naval mines externally so there was some tactical flexibility.
Onboard systems included the STN "Atlas" DBQS-21 series sonar, the Thomson-CSF DUUX 2 series passive range-finding sonar, the Safare VELOX sonar intercept system, and the EDO-900 active mine avoidance sonar unit. The Thomson-CSF "Calypso II" filled the surveillance and navigation radar role. Defense was handled by the Thomson-CSF Dr-2000U ESM and Thorn-EMI SARIE suites.
In the post-Cold War world, boats U-23 and U-24 were sold off to the Colombian Navy where they continued their careers as ARC "Intrepido" and ARC "Indomable". U-16 and U-18 followed suit but these were sold to serve as spare parts boats for the in-service pair. The Colombian models are the only in-service Type 206 boats as of January 2019.
Germany, by way of Britain, sold the Type 206 design (as the "Gal-class") to Israel. Three were built and entered service in 1976, ultimately succeeded by the Dolphin-class.
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