List of all Spy Ships in the World (PDF Download)

List of all Spy Ships in the World

Today in this article you get a List of all Spy Ships in the World ( Only Spy Ship or Surveillance Ships ) and we will give you full information related to Spy Ships All Over the World with Specification and Country names etc… These Names Are in Ascending Orders, not in a series, So, let’s Start.

What is Spy Ship?

A dedicated ship designed to acquire intelligence, typically by sophisticated electronic eavesdropping, is known as a spy ship, surveillance ship, or reconnaissance vessel. Any ship designed to acquire information could be viewed as a spy ship in a broader sense.

Due to their high cost and sophisticated technology requirements, spy ships are typically under the control of a country’s government. They frequently belong to the nation’s navy, though secret services may also control them. Naval trawlers pose as fishing trawlers or other civilian ships that are intended to stay in a certain location for a considerable amount of time. Spy ships are sometimes sometimes referred to as vessels used to conceal spies or special forces.

Here is the List of all Spy Ships in the World

#1. Argentine Navy

1. ARA Narwal Spy Ship

Asterio Wagata was the commander of the ARA Narwal, an Argentinian fishing boat outfitted with ELINT during the Falklands War.

Operational background: On April 29, 1982, British air patrols made their first observation of the ship, which had been tasked with executing ELINT operations with other trawlers while stalking the British navy.

 

History
Argentina
Name	ARA Narwal
Owner	Cia Sudamericana de Pesca
Builder	Beliard-Murdoch, Ostend
Launched	1962
Identification	IMO number: 5247445
Fate	Sank on 10 May 1982
General characteristics
Tonnage	1,398 GRT
Length	231 ft (70 m)
Beam	38 ft (12 m)
Draught	17 ft (5.2 m)
Installed power	2330 h.p.
Propulsion	2 x diesel engines

#2. Chinese Navy

1. Type 813 Spy Ship

The People’s Liberation Army Navy’s Type 813 espionage ship is the first specifically manufactured, domestically developed spy ship to enter service (PLAN).

Midway through the 1970s, there was a critical need for a specialist spy ship for information collecting operations. To expedite the development, it was determined in October 1976 that the newly built spy ship would use the same hull as the Type 645 oceanographic research ship. Design work was started in August 1977 by the 2nd Directorate of the 708th Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, now more formally known as China Shipbuilding and Oceanic Engineering Design Academy. Construction started in September 1980 after design work was finished that month.

The ship was put into service with the South Sea Fleet and carries a total of 10 sets of reconnaissance equipment. The ship is made to resist storms with winds of scale 12. The ship was first known as Xiangyanghong 21 but was subsequently renamed, Neptune. A Type 815A spy ship with the same name, Neptune, took its place when the ship was handed to the Chinese Coast Guard and given the pennant number 3469.

 

History
China
Name	Neptune (852)
Builder	Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding
Laid down	September 1980
Launched	September 1982
Commissioned	April 1983
General characteristics
Class and type	Type 813 Xiangyanghong 21-class spy ship
Displacement	4,590 t (4,520 long tons)
Length	112.22 m (368.2 ft)
Beam	15.2 m (50 ft)
Draft	5.5 m (18 ft)
Propulsion	2 x 9ESDZ43/82B medium/low speed diesel engines @ 3308 kW (4500 hp) w/ 200 rpm
Speed	19 kn (22 mph)
Range	12,000 nmi (14,000 mi) @ 17 kn (20 mph)
Complement	150

 

2. Type 814A spy ship Spy Ship

Spy ship of type 814A with NATO reporting name Dadie (meaning Big Spy) is a type of spy ship used by the People’s Liberation Army Navy in China as of 2014. (PLAN). Four ships were initially intended, but only one was ultimately built since newer designs became available.

Following the failure of the previously canceled Type 812, PLAN initially requested four spy ships to address its immediate requirements. PLAN suggested using the Type 635C hydrographic survey ship’s hull to expedite the program. The ship’s design was entrusted to the 1st Directorate of the 708th Institute of the China State Shipbuilding Corporation, presently more formally known as the China Shipbuilding and Oceanic Engineering Design Academy.

But once the design was finished, it became clear that it couldn’t satisfy the demands made by PLAN during the design review. PLAN ordered the design to be revised to 1500 tons and given the Type 814 designation on March 25, 1980. The 708th Institute finished the revision on June 30, 1980. However, because of the significant revisions made by PLAN, it was once more made clear during the design review that the updated design was unable to effectively satisfy the new PLAN criteria. The ship’s designer suggested extending it by increasing the displacement from 1500 tons to 1800 tons by 20%. After the suggestion was approved, the modification was finished in February 1982, and the design was finished in August 1982.

 

History
China
Name	Bei-Diao (900)
Builder	Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding
Laid down	22 December 1983
Launched	12 June 1986
Commissioned	29 October 1986
In service	in active service
General characteristics
Class and type	Type 814A spy ship
Displacement	2,198 t (2,163 long tons)
Length	94.33 m (309.5 ft)
Beam	11.6 m (38 ft)
Draft	4.04 m (13.3 ft)
Propulsion	2 x 6E390 medium-speed diesel engines @ 2646 kW (3600 hp) w/ 466 rpm
Speed	20.03 kn (23.05 mph)
Range	4,000 nmi (4,600 mi) @ 18 kn (21 mph)

3. Type 815 spy ship Spy Ship

The People’s Liberation Army Navy uses the Type 815 and its derivatives, the Type 815G and Type 815A, as electronic surveillance ships from China (PLAN). NATO refers to the Type 815 espionage ship as the Dongdiao class (which translates to “East Investigation”), while the Type 815G and Type 815A spy ships are referred to as the Dongdiao II class.

Although Type 813 was intended to be the successor to it, Type 815 served alongside it until Type 813 was finally withdrawn from the PLAN, handed to the Chinese Coast Guard, and transformed into PRCCGS  3469 cutter. Dong-Diao, which translates to “East Investigate,” was the previous designation for Type 815.

However once PLAN established a new naming system, the name was later changed to Polaris. The ship had a significant upgrade some years after going into service in the second half of 1999, replacing its parabolic antennae with three large radomes. This class is charged with tracking ballistic missiles in addition to gathering electronic intelligence. A hangar for a helicopter is present. Specification:

• Size (meters): 130
• Draft (m): 6.5 and width (m): 16.4
• 6000 t of displacement
• Speed (20 kt)
• Crew: 250
• Powered by a diesel engine
• 1 twin 37 mm, 2 twin 25 mm of armor

 

History
PRC
Status	Active
General characteristics
Class and type	Dongdiao I / II class
Type	Spy ships (AGI)
Propulsion	Marine Diesel
Sensors and processing systems	Navigation radar
Electronic warfare & decoys	None
Armour	None
Aircraft carried	1
Aviation facilities	Helipad

4. Yuan Wang-class tracking ship Spy Ship

The People’s Liberation Army Strategic Support Force of the People’s Republic of China employs the Yuan Wang-class (Chinese: lit. “Long View”) for the tracking and support of satellites and intercontinental ballistic missiles (PRC). In contrast to popular belief, the Yuanwang class is actually a collection of unique designs put together under one series and given the same name.

The PLASSF does not publish the particular details for each ship. When fully laden, Yuanwang 1 and Yuanwang 2 are estimated to have a displacement tonnage of over 21,000 tons, a crew of about 470, and a length of roughly 190 meters (620 ft). One Sulzer Ltd. diesel engine, with a top speed of 20 knots (37 km/h), powers them.

Premier Zhou Enlai first suggested the class in 1965, and Mao Zedong personally endorsed it in 1968. Yuanwang 1 and Yuanwang 2, the first two ships of the class, were constructed at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai and launched on August 31, 1977, and September 1, 1978, respectively. Xu Xueyan [zh] is the general designer of this class. This allowed the PRC to track satellite launches and other objects for the first time that were not over their borders.

The two ships’ initial survey trip took place in May 1980. Yuanwang 1 and Yuanwang 2, which had previously been employed to track the launches of domestic communications satellites, underwent renovations in 1986 so that the PRC could use them to support the launch of foreign satellites.

The class has had two more ships built. On October 20, 1995, Yuanwang 3 was given the green light. On July 18, 1999, China State Shipbuilding Corporation delivered the Yuanwang 4 tracking ship to the China Satellite Launch and Tracking Control General. It had been transformed from the Xiang Yang Hong 10 scientific survey ship that had previously been in use.

At the beginning of 2007, Shanghai hosted the launch of two further Yuanwang-class ships.

Pictures of Yuanwang 6 were made public, and on the Shenzhou 7 mission, both Yuanwang 5 and the freshly commissioned ship were on duty.

The four ships were situated as follows throughout the Shenzhou spacecraft flights:

• Yuanwang 1 in the Yellow Sea
• Yuanwang 2 is about 1500 km (about 900 statute miles) southwest of French Polynesia
• Yuanwang 3 off the Namibian coast
• Yuanwang 4 off the coast of Western Australia in the Indian Ocean

ship list

• Yuan Wang 1 – 1977
• Yuan Wang 2 – 1978
• Yuan Wang 3 – 1995
• Yuan Wang 4 – 1999
• Yuan Wang 5 – 2007
• Yuan Wang 6 – 2007
• Yuan Wang 7 – 2016
• Yuan Wang 21 – Long March 5 transport ship
• Yuan Wang 22 – Long March 5 transport ship

 

Class Overview
Builders	Yuan Wang 1 and 2 – Jiangnan Shipyard, Shanghai / Yuan Wang 3 to 6 – China State Shipbuilding Corporation, Shanghai
Operators	People’s Liberation Army Strategic Support Force
Preceded by	none
Succeeded by	none
Completed	7
Active	4
Retired	2, 1 destroyed as target
General characteristics
Type	tracking ship
Displacement	~21,000 tons (Yuan Wang 1 and 2: 10,000+ / Yuan Wang 3 and 4 18,000)
Length	Yuan Wang 1 – 156.09 m / Yuan Wang 2 – 191 metres; Yuan Wang 3-6 – N/A
Beam	Yuan Wang 1 – 20.6 metres / Yuan Wang 2 – 22 metres; Yuan Wang 3-6 – N/A
Propulsion	Sulzer Ltd. diesel engine
Speed	20 knots (37 km/h)
Complement	Yuan Wang 1 – 200 / Yuan Wang 2 – 470; Yuan Wang 3-6 – N/A
Aircraft carried	none, but capable of handling either Super Frelon or Z-8
Aviation facilities	none

#3. Finnish Navy

Kustaanmiekka (Decommissioned) Spy Ship

 

 

#4. French Navy

Dupuy de Lôme Spy Ship

The Dupuy de Lôme (A759), which bears the name of the engineer Henri Dupuy de Lôme from the 19th century, was inducted into the French Navy’s fleet in April 2006. Its purpose is to gather signals and communications from behind enemy lines. Dupuy de Lôme was built expressly for sea intelligence as part of the MINREM project (Moyen Interarmées Naval de Recherche ElectroMagnétique, “Joint Naval Resources for ElectroMagnetic Research”). Bougainville, the ship she replaced, was not.

Royal Niestern Sander shipyards with yard number 816 in Delfzijl, the Netherlands, developed and constructed the Dupuy de Lôme. The electromagnetic intelligence component of the ship was designed by Thales Naval France. A total of 240 of her 350 operational availability days per year can be spent at sea. Two naval crews each consisting of thirty-three sailors, thirty-three technicians, and, depending on the mission, an optional complement of up to thirty-eight specialists, manage the ship. The Direction du renseignement militaire oversees the activities of the specialized staff.

 

History
Name	Dupuy de Lôme
Namesake	Henri Dupuy de Lôme
Launched	27 March 2004
Commissioned	April 2006
Identification	IMO number: 9282156 MMSI number: 228716000 Callsign: FALM
Status	In active service
General characteristics
Displacement	3,100 t (3,600 t full load)
Length	101.75 m (333.8 ft)
Beam	15.85 m (52.0 ft)
Draught	4.9 m (16 ft)
Propulsion	2 Mak 9M25 diesels
Speed	16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Range	6,300 km (3,400 nmi; 3,900 mi)
Complement	8 officers, 16 Warrant officers, 6 quarter-masters, 78 engineers
Sensors and processing systems	2 DRBN38A navigation radars
Electronic warfare & decoys	ARBR-21 radar detector goniometer for satellite communication interception goniometer for Elite communication interception goniometer for Egide Naval communication interception
Armament	2 × 12.7 mm M2 Browing machine guns

#5. German Navy

Oste-class fleet service Spy Ship

The German Navy’s Type 423 Oste class of ships are designed specifically as signals intelligence (SIGNINT/ELINT) and reconnaissance vessels. They took the position of the Type 422 class and were given the official designation of “fleet service ships.”

The crew quarters were created in accordance with civil norms, and compared to other German Navy ships, the Oste class provides a lot greater comfort for the crew.

List of ships

Ship	Pennant number	Call sign	Launched	Commissioned
Oste	A52	DRHH		30 July 1988
Oker	A53	DRHG		10 November 1988
Alster	A50	DRHF	14 November 1988	5 October 1989

 

The ships were constructed in Flensburg at Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft.

All of the ships are now stationed in Eckernförde and are part of the 1st Ubootgeschwader, which is based there. The three Type 422 class warships that they replaced were given the same names and pennant numbers for the new vessels. The ship names are occasionally prefixed with II to prevent misunderstanding.

In August 2012, Oker (A53) is said to have been spotted close to the Syrian shore. Later, in February 2017, she was spotted in Greenwich, UK.

 

Class overview
Builders	Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg
Operators	German Navy
Preceded by	Type 422 class
In commission	1988–
Completed	3
Active	3
General characteristics
Displacement	3,200 tonnes
Length	83.5 m (273 ft 11 in)
Beam	14.6 m (47 ft 11 in)
Draught	4.2 m (13 ft 9 in)
Propulsion	2 diesel engines, 3,300 kW (4,400 hp) each
Speed	21 knots (39 km/h)
Range	More than 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km)
Complement	36 + up to 40 mission specialists
Sensors and processing systems	ELINT/COMINT sensors
Electronic warfare & decoys	Electronic countermeasures[specify]
Armament	None

#6. Indian Navy

1. INS Anvesh (A41) Spy Ship

The missile range instrumentation ship INS Anvesh, also known as a “Floating Test Range” (FTR), was created for the Indian Navy and was formerly known as the DRDO Technology Demonstration Vessel. The ship was created as a sea-based platform for India’s ballistic missile defense program by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). [3] Vik-Sandvik Design India Pvt Ltd (also known as “VSDI”) created the ship’s design.

In August 2015, the DRDO, India’s top defense research, and development organization awarded Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) the construction to build the DRDO Technology Demonstration Vessel.

This ship is 118.4 meters long, 20 meters wide, and 7.1 meters deep, and it weighs about 3900 tons of steel.

The vessel’s construction was originally under contract with Bharati Shipyard, but the agreement was terminated due to time overruns imposed by the yard’s precarious financial situation. The Cochin Shipyard ultimately won the bid to carry out this project.

 

History
Name	Anvesh
Operator	Indian Navy Defence Research and Development Organisation
Builder	Cochin Shipyard Limited
Cost	₹425 crore
Laid down	27 January 2016
Commissioned	Q4 2021 (Expected)
Identification	Pennant number: A41
Status	Sea Trials
General characteristics
Type	Tracking ship
Displacement	11,300 tonnes (11,122 long tons; 12,456 short tons)
Length	118.40 m (388 ft 5 in)
Beam	20 m (65 ft 7 in)
Draught	7.1 m (23 ft 4 in)
Depth	10.40 m (34 ft 1 in)
Installed power	3 x 4320 ekW (Main Gen Set) 1 x 1350 ekW (Aux Gen Set)
Propulsion	2 × 5,000 kW (6,705 hp) prop motor 2 x 4,200 mm (165 in) CPP-Contra-Rotating Pod Propeller 1 × 1,000 kW (1,341 hp) Forward Tunnel Thruster
Speed	Over 18.5 knots (34.3 km/h; 21.3 mph)
Complement	150
Sensors and processing systems	LRDE Long-Range Multi-Function Radar
Notes	4 x Ship launch systems for BMD test missiles

 

2. INS Dhruv Spy Ship

Hindustan Shipyard Limited in India constructed the research vessel and missile range instrumentation ship known as INS Dhruv (A40) (HSL). The ship was previously solely identified by its designated shipyard yard number, VC-11184.

The ship can gather electronic intelligence and will be used to track satellites and missiles to support India’s anti-ballistic missiles and strategic weapons. The National Technical Research Organization, the Defence Research and Development Organization, and the Indian Navy will all work together to run it. The duration of a ship’s development has mostly remained a secret, with minimal information in the public realm. Without a formal public launching ceremony, the ship allegedly began sea trials in early 2019 and entered service in October 2020. In the presence of top representatives from the Indian Navy, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), and the National Technical Research Organization, the ship was formally commissioned on September 10, 2021, in Visakhapatnam (NTRO).

The ship’s mission is to aid in the development of India’s strategic arsenal and ballistic missile defense program. The ship has satellite and missile tracking capabilities. It is also capable of gathering electronic intelligence. The ship’s keel was laid at Hindustan Shipyard Limited on June 30, 2014. It is being constructed as part of a secretive program that is directly supervised by the National Security Advisor and the Prime Minister’s Office, much like the Indian Navy’s Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) program. The ship began port trials in July 2018 and was scheduled to go through sea trials by the year’s end. Sea trials were still underway as of March 2019.

The ship was discretely handed over to the Indian Navy in October 2020, with the official induction taking place in the first half of 2021.

The ship was created in India by Vik Sandvik Design India for about 1,500 crores (about 20 billion or US$270 million in 2020).

It can reach a speed of 21 knots and has a displacement of more than 10,000 tonnes. It is 175 meters long, 22 meters wide, and 6 meters deep. It is powered by three 1200 kilowatt auxiliary generators and two imported 9,000 kilowatts combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) configuration engines.

 

History
India
Name	INS Dhruv
Operator	Jointly operated by the Indian Navy National Technical Research Organisation Defense Research and Development Organisation
Builder	Hindustan Shipyard Limited
Cost	₹1,500 crore
Laid down	30 June 2014
Acquired	31 October 2020
Commissioned	10 September 2021
Identification	Pennant number: A40
Status	In Service
General characteristics
Type	Ocean surveillance and missile tracking ship
Displacement	15,000 t (15,000 long tons; 17,000 short tons)
Length	175 m (574 ft)
Beam	22 m (72 ft)
Draught	6 m (20 ft)
Propulsion	2 × diesel engines in CODAD, 9,000 kW (12,000 hp) each 3 × auxiliary generators 1,200 kW (1,600 hp) each 15 MW power
Speed	21 kn (39 km/h; 24 mph)
Complement	300
Sensors and processing systems	X-Band AESA Radar S-Band AESA Radar
Aircraft carried	1 × helicopter

#7 Italian Navy

Elettra Spy Ship

A SIGINT vessel for the Italian Navy named Elettra (A 5340) is known as the “Nuova Unità Polivalente di Supporto” (NUPS).
The ship’s platform was modified from the RV Alliance created for NATO in order to conduct research and surveillance operations.
She is the first surface vessel in the world to use this sort of engine as part of her propulsion system, which is based on two permanent magnet electric engines. High reliability, high efficiency, low maintenance, and low undersea radiated noise are this propulsion system’s key attributes.

The ship is equipped with:

advanced electronic intelligence equipment, including 27 different electronic and acoustic reconnaissance devices and a submersible ROV with an echo sounder that can launch unmanned aerial vehicles from the back flight deck. Compression chamber only Galeazzi DRASS for 8 people.

 

Pennant number	Hull number	Owner	Laid Down	Launched	Commissioned	Motto	Note
Italian ship Alliance (A 5345)	A 5345	921	NATO operated by Italian Navy	18 July 1984	9 July 1986	6 May 1988		about 50 Billion Lire contract
Ta Kuan	AGS-1601	5942	Taiwan Navy	October 1993	17 December 1994	26 September 1995		about 100 Billion Lire contract
Italian ship Elettra (A 5340)	A 5340	6080	Italian Navy	March 2000	24 July 2002	2 April 2003	Anima i silenzi aerei	About 139 Billion Lire contract

 

 

History
Italy
Name	Elettra
Ordered	1999
Builder	Fincantieri – Cantiere Navale del Muggiano (La Spezia)
Laid down	20 January 2001
Launched	24 July 2002
Commissioned	2 April 2003
Homeport	La Spezia
Identification	Pennant number: A 5340
Motto	Anima i silenzi aerei
Status	Active as of 2018
General characteristics
Type	Auxiliary ship
Displacement	3,180 tonnes (full-load). 2,466 tonnes (empty)
Length	93.5 m (306 ft 9 in)
Beam	15.5 m (50 ft 10 in)
Draught	4.83 m (15 ft 10 in)
Propulsion	2 x diesel-generators engines GMT-Wärtsilä CW 12V200 (2.200 kW each) 2 x permanent magnetic electric engines ABB (1.500 kW each) 2 x diesel-generators auxiliary engines Isotta Fraschini IF V1708T2 (770 kW each) 1 x emergency diesel-generator 2 x propeller 1 x bow thruster
Speed	16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph)
Range	8,000 nmi (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement	30 crew 65 electronic technicians
Sensors and processing systems	2 x navigation radar Kelvin Hughes Nucleus 6000 (X band) EM Ship log 3-band satellite terminal
Armament	2 × OTO Melara KBA 25/80 mm
Notes	the flight deck is only for RPV FLUME Passive stabilisation plant 1 x 180 t/m crane 1 x 55 t/m crane 2 x cranes for service boats

#8. Royal Norwegian Navy

1. Marjata(1992) Spy Ship

A vessel designed specifically for gathering electronic intelligence, FS Eger (FS Marjata III throughout most of its lifespan) (ELINT).

She is the third vessel to carry the name Marjata.

The first was operating from 1966 to 1975, and the second from 1976 to 1995. The Norwegian Armed Forces have utilized all of these ships for military intelligence operations, with the first two entering service during the Cold War.

One of the most technologically sophisticated ships of her kind in the world, she is owned by the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment but operated by the Norwegian Intelligence Service. Although she was built for operations anywhere in the world, her primary duty is to monitor the Russian Northern fleet’s actions in the Barents Sea. In close proximity to the Russian border, she operates in international seas. The Norwegian Intelligence Service uses Marjata formally as a research vessel.

When the ship’s precise trimming is not crucial, it can still function even with significant portions of its interior submerged. If the ship is subjected to icing or significant volumes of water on deck, the same is true for cargo shift. The ship is additionally outfitted to work for extended periods in arctic waters, but it was also built to perform in other maritime environments. It is thought that operating in polar northern regions can continue without interruption for very long periods of time due to the great stability of the hull and the entire structure’s capacity to tolerate significant amounts of icing.

The ship is described as an intelligence/surveillance vessel. The Eger is also referred to as a spy ship and has participated in numerous operations over the years.

It has an unusual hull shape and is a Ramform-style ship. The ship’s hull has a distinctive design with a sharp bow, sinusoidal waterline, dropping rear body, and straight, cut-off stern, which is where the ship is widest. The ship will have an operational metacentric height of around 16 meters due to its extremely wide beam. Marjata is a very steady sensor platform that has been designed with a very low noise profile to prevent interference from the ship’s own systems.

 

History
Norway
Name	Marjata
Owner	Norwegian Defence Research Establishment
Operator	Norwegian Intelligence Service
Ordered	1991
Builder	Langsten shipyard, Aker Yards, Tomrefjord, Norway
Yard number	160
Launched	18 December 1992
Commissioned	1995
Homeport	Karljohansvern, Horten
Identification	IMO number: 9107277 MMSI number: 258010000 Callsign: LGTH
Status	In service
General characteristics
Type	Military intelligence ship (ELINT)
Displacement	7,560 tons (full load)
Length	81.5 m (267 ft 5 in)
Beam	40 m (131 ft 3 in)
Draught	6 m (19 ft 8 in)
Propulsion	2 × diesel engines and 2 × gas turbines
Speed	15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Complement	unknown
Aviation facilities	Helipad

 

2. Marjata(2014) Spy Ship

The parliament placed an order for the FS Marjata, a Norwegian electronic intelligence collecting vessel (ELINT), in 2010. On December 6, 2014, Prime Minister Erna Solberg baptized it. Crew members from the Norwegian Intelligence Service are on board the ship.

 

It’s the fourth vessel with the name Marjata. The first was in effect from 1966 to 1975, the second from 1976 to 1995, and the third from 1995 to (still operating, but renamed FS Eger). Her predecessor was supposed to be replaced by Marjata, but it was decided to keep both for the same position. Previously known as research ships, the new Marjata is the first ship to formally conduct intelligence operations as well. Her predecessor, FS Eger, has occasionally joined her on missions; these missions are frequently intelligence or spy assignments. Neither helicopters nor weaponry is present on the ship. The ship is 126 meters long and 23.5 meters broad, weighing 5000 tons.

#9. Polish Navy

1. ORP Nawigator Spy Ship

Polish reconnaissance vessel ORP “Nawigator,” tactical number 262, radio-electronic reconnaissance project 863 (NATO code: Modified Moma).

The first in a series, it was created in Poland and constructed at the Northern Shipyard in Gdansk. Its identical twin is the ORP “Hydrograf.” The vessel is a member of the Reconnaissance Ship Group and is assigned to the 3rd Ship Flotilla. To undertake radio-electronic reconnaissance of the Navy, the ship is equipped. It is a ship with unrestricted seaworthiness and extended autonomy that can sail through any body of water on the planet.

The ship participated in a significant Navy exercise known as Reda-83 on May 4–26, 1983. The ship underwent refurbishment and modernization in 2010–2013 and 2018 that included the replacement of 95% of the equipment and assembly, including delivery, installation, and integration of Broadband Recognition Systems and Electronic Support Measures (ESM). These initiatives aim to drastically modernize and extend the ship’s service.

 

ORP Navigator (2017)
Project	863
NATO designation	Modified Moma
History
Shipyard	Northern Shipyard , Gdańsk
Navy
Entry into service	February 17, 1975
The fate of the ship	in duty
Tactical and technical data
Displacement	1,467 t std (1,675 t full)
Length	73,3 m
Width	10,8 m
Dipping	3,6 m
Drive
2 Zgoda-Sulzer diesel engines 1,800 KM (each)
Speed	17 w.
Reception	7200 Mm
Armament
4 Strzała-2M anti-aircraft missile launchers

2. ORP Hydrograf Spy Ship

ORP “Hydrograf” is a Polish reconnaissance vessel with the tactical number 263, radio-electronic reconnaissance project 863, and image reconnaissance project 863.

The second in the series, the ship was created in Poland and constructed at the Northern Shipyard in Gdansk. ORP “Nawigator” is its twin ship. The vessel is a member of the Reconnaissance Ship Group and is assigned to the 3rd Ship Flotilla.

The ship underwent renovation and modernization between the years 2018 and 2020, including the assembly of Electronic Support Measures (ESM), delivery, assembly, and integration of the reconnaissance command system and the receiving-antenna system, assembly of Broadband Reconnaissance Systems, delivery, assembly, and integration of the optoelectronic system, as well as major and dock repairs.

 

ORP Hydrograf (2011)
Project	863
NATO designation	Modified Moma
History
Shipyard	Northern Shipyard , Gdańsk
Laying down the keel	February 6, 1975
Launching	September 20, 1975
Navy
Entry into service	8 houses in 1976
The fate of the ship	in duty
Tactical and technical data
Displacement	1,467 t std (1,675 t full)
Length	73,3 m
Width	10,8 m
Dipping	3,6 m
Drive
2 Zgoda-Sulzer diesel engines 1,800 KM (each)
Speed	17 w.
Reception	7200 Mm
Armament
4 Strzała-2M rocket launchers

 

#10. Russian Navy

1. Primor’ye-class surveillance Spy Ship

The Primor’ye class is a group of spy ships built for the Soviet Navy. Two ships are operated by the Russian Navy. The Soviet designation was Project 394B. ships were designed to gather SIGINT and COMINT electronic intelligence via an extensive array of sensors. The data could be transmitted to shore via satellite link antennas. The ships were converted from the hulls of large trawlers.

ShipsTwo ships are in service with the Black Sea Fleet:

• SSV-590 Krym
• SSV-591 Kavkaz

Four further ships were retired in the mid-to-late 1990s.

 

lass overview
Builders	61 Kommunara Zavod, Nikolayev, Ukraine
Operators	Soviet Navy, Russian Navy
Succeeded by	Balzam-class intelligence ship
Built	1969-1973
In commission	1970 ? – present day
Completed	6
Active	2
Retired	4
General characteristics
Type	Intelligence collection ship
Displacement	4,340 tons full load
Length	84.6 m
Beam	14 m
Draught	7.2 m
Propulsion	1 shaft, 2 diesel engines, 2000 hp
Speed	12.5 knots

2. Balzam-class intelligence Spy Ship

The Balzam class, Soviet designation Project 1826 is a class of intelligence collection ships built in the Soviet Union for the Soviet Navy during the 1980s. They are also known as Lira class, after the first vessel of the class.

Design and role

Built by the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad, they the first Soviet vessels specifically designed to gather SIGINT and COMINT electronic intelligence via an extensive array of sensors. The data could be transmitted to shore via satellite link antennas housed in two large radomes. They were the first Soviet AGIs to be armed, carrying one AK-630 CIWS gun system and Strela anti-aircraft missiles. The last remaining Balzam class ship in active service is 344 ft in length, mounting a Medium Frequency sonar, High-Frequency dipping sonar, and Electronic warfare gear to include jammers, interception devices, and code-breaking software. These ships were revolutionary when built in that they carried not only intercept and direction-finding electronics but also the necessary computing power to feed raw signal data into onboard information processing computers. The ships have an underway replenishment system same as two four-round Strela-2M (SA-N-5 Grail) IR-Guided SAMs and a single six-barrelled 30 mm gun installed. The weapons rely on a single remote Kolonka pedestal director instead of fire control radars, presumably to avoid interfering with the electronic support suite.

Ships

Name	Hull No.	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Fleet	Status
Lira	516	Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad			9 February 1980	Northern Fleet	Decommissioned in 1997
Azia	493	Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad			13 February 1981	Pacific Fleet	In reserve
Pribaltica	80	Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad			28 July 1984	Pacific Fleet	Active
Belmore	463	Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad			7 February 1987	Northern Fleet	In reserve

operations July 2016, SSV-80 was deployed to monitor the RIMPAC 2016 naval exercises off Hawaii. The United States Coast Guard spotted the same ship south of Oahu in March 2020. She was also deployed in May of 2022, presumably to observe the USS Ronald Reagan and her battle group as they deployed from their Japanese homeport.

 

Class overview
Builders	Yantar Yard Kaliningrad
Operators	Soviet Navy  Russian Navy
Preceded by	Primor’ye-class surveillance ship
Succeeded by	Vishnya-class intelligence ship
Built	1980–1986
In commission	1980–1987
Planned	4
Completed	4
Active	1
Laid up	2
Retired	1
General characteristics
Type	intelligence ship
Displacement	4,900 tons full load
Length	105 m (344 ft)
Beam	15.5 m (51 ft)
Draught	5 m (16 ft)
Propulsion	2 shaft diesel 9,000 hp (6,700 kW)
Speed	20 knots (37 km/h)
Complement	220
Sensors and processing systems	Sonar: MG-349 hull mounted array, MG-13 underwater communications, MG-7
Electronic warfare & decoys	Cage Pot I, Twin Wheel, Log Maze
Armament	2 × 4 9K32 Strela-2 positions, 1 × 30 mm AK-630 anti-aircraft gun, 1×7 55 mm MRG-1 grenade launcher

3. Vishnya-class intelligence Spy Ship

The Vishnya class (NATO reporting name) (also known as the Meridian class), Soviet designation Project 864, are a group of intelligence collection ships built for the Soviet Navy in the 1980s. The ships continue in service with the Russian Navy. The Russian Navy operates seven of these ships.

design these ships are large, purpose-built ships designed for signals intelligence gathering via an extensive array of sensors. The data could be transmitted to shore via satellite link antennas housed in two large radomes. The ships are armed with two AK-630 close-in weapon systems and SA-N-8 surface-to-air missile (SAM) launchers, for last resort self-defense.

Ships

Name	Hull No.	Laid down	Launched	Commissioned	Fleet	Status	Notes
Fedor Golovin (ex-Meridian)	520			14 November 1985	Baltic Fleet	Active
Kareliya	535			5 July 1986	Pacific Fleet	Active	Active in 2021–2022 off Hawaii
Tavriya	169			17 January 1987	Northern Fleet	Active
Priazovye	201			12 June 1987	Black Sea Fleet	Active	In 2020–2021 deployed to the Mediterranean Sea
Kurily	208			16 October 1987	Pacific Fleet	Active
Vasiliy Tatishchev (ex-Pelengator)	231		27 November 1987	23 July 1988	Baltic Fleet	Active	In 2021 deployed to the Red Sea
Viktor Leonov (ex-Odograf)	175			1988	Northern Fleet	Active	Active off U.S. and U.K., docks in Havana

 

Class overview
Builders	Stocznia Północna, Gdańsk, Poland
Operators	Soviet Navy  Russian Navy
Preceded by	Balzam class
Succeeded by	Yury Ivanov class
Planned	7
Completed	7
Active	7
General characteristics
Type	Intelligence collection ship
Displacement	3,470 tons full load
Length	91.5 m (300 ft 2 in)
Beam	14.6 m (47 ft 11 in)
Draught	4.5 m (14 ft 9 in)
Propulsion	2 shafts, 2x Zgoda Sulzer 12AV diesel engines, 4,400 bhp (3,300 kW)
Speed	16 knots
Complement	146 (= 6 passengers)
Sensors and processing systems	Radar: MR-212/201 (Palm Frond) Sonar: MG-349, MGP-303
Electronic warfare & decoys	Various intercept arrays and radio direction finding equipment
Armament	2 AK-630 six-barreled Gatling 30 mm/L60 guns 2 SA-N-8 surface-to-air missiles

4. Yantar Spy Ship

Yantar (Янтарь) is a special purpose intelligence collection ship built for the Russian Navy. The ship has been operated by the Russian Navy’s Main Directorate of Underwater Research (GUGI) since 2015 and is reportedly a spy ship. The vessel’s home port is Severomorsk, where it is attached to the Northern Fleet. It is the lead ship of its class, with two sister ships under construction.

Yantar was designed by the CMDB Almaz Design Bureau in St. Petersburg, and the hull was laid down on 8 July 2010. It was launched in December 2012, and concluded its sea trials in May 2015. The ship has a length of 108 metres (354 ft) and a full displacement of 5,736 tons. It uses diesel-electric propulsion for a top speed of approximately 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). It officially has a complement of 60. The ship was built at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad.

Yantar can act as a mothership to mini-subs. The United States Navy has stated that the submersibles are able to sever cables miles beneath the ocean’s surface. The submersibles are reportedly capable of operating at depths of up to 6,000 metres (20,000 ft). The submersibles are reportedly the project 16810 Rus-class submersible and the project 16811 Konsul-class submersible.According to Alexei Burilichev, head of the Russian Defense Ministry’s deepwater research department, Yantar is an oceanic research complex.

 

History
Russia
Name	Yantar
Builder	Yantar Shipyard
Yard number	01602
Laid down	8 July 2010
Launched	5 December 2012
Commissioned	23 May 2015
Identification	Call sign: RMM91 MMSI number: 273546520
Status	In service
General characteristics
Class and type	Project 22010-class intelligence ship
Displacement	5,736 tons (full load)
Length	107.8 m (354 ft)
Beam	17.2 m (56 ft)
Installed power	2 × 3400 hp electric motors 4 × 1600 kW diesel generators 2 × 1080 kW diesel generators
Propulsion	2 azipods with fixed pitch propellers 2 bow thrusters
Speed	15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Range	8,000 nmi (15,000 km; 9,200 mi)
Endurance	60 days
Boats & landing craft carried	2 deep-diving autonomous underwater vehicles 1 Rus-class (Project 16810) 1 Konsul-class (Project 16811)
Complement	60
Aviation facilities

Sister ships

Almaz

A sister Project 22010-class ship Almaz is also under construction.

Burilichev

On 5 February 2021, the third ship of the series was reportedly laid down in the Vyborg Shipyard under the name Vice-admiral Burilichev, to honor a former head of the GUGI, Alexey Vitalyevich Burilichev, who died in November 2020 due to coronavirus.

 

#11. Spanish Navy

Alerta Spy Ship

 

• Country:  Spain
• Class, [Type]: Darss, [AGI].
• Builder: Neptunwerft, Rostock, Germany.
• Launch date: 27 February 1982.
• Commission date: 12 June 1992.
• Displacement ( tons ): 1.800 standard, 2.292 full load.
• Dimensions ( metres ): 76,3 x 12,1 x 4,2
• Main machinery: 1 x Kolomna Type 40-DM diesel ( 2.200 cv ).
• Speed ( knots ): 12.
• Range ( miles ): 1.000 at 12 knots.
• Complement: 60.
• Guns: It can operate up to 3 x 25mm/70 double mountings.
• Radar: Navigation: I band.
• Callsign: EBQD ()

Former Jasmund. Was to have transferred to Ecuador in 1991 but the sale was canceled. Last of a batch of ships known as the DARSS class. This ship belonged to the former GDR, where it first was used for transport duties ( until 1988 ), and later converted to AGI, performing its duties until 1990. On 21st December 1992 arrived in the Canary Islands where it went through a series of updates and conversions for its future use by the Spanish Navy. The work was done at ASTICAN´s facilities, at Puerto de la Luz. On 15th July 1993, it was commissioned as an ELINT platform for the Spanish Navy, and releaved patrol ship Alsedo ( who was performing those duties at the time ), fifteen days after his decommissioning. Supposedly most of its equipment and instruments are of soviet origin. It has a Saturn 3S satellite communications antenna.

#12. Swedish Navy

1. HSwMS Orion Spy Ship

HSwMS Orion (A201) is a signals intelligence gathering vessel of the Swedish Navy. HSwMS Orion was launched in 1984. She was built with extensive support from the United States National Security Agency. In November 1985, HSwMS Orion was rammed by a Soviet minesweeper after she got too close to a Soviet naval exercise. In 1998 Orion received a false bomb threat, which was widely covered in the Swedish newspapers. The ship is operated by Swedish Navy officers and sailors, as well as personnel from the National Defence Radio Establishment (FRA). HSwMS Orion belongs to the 1st Submarine division. Orion shares a hull design with the Fiskeriverkets vessel Argos, an official fishing control vessel.

 

History
Sweden
Name	Orion
Builder	Kockums
Launched	June 1984
Homeport	Karlskrona
Identification	Pennant number: A201 MMSI number: 265000000
Status	In active service
General characteristics
Type	Signals intelligence gathering vessel
Displacement	1,400 tons
Length	61.2 m (200 ft 9 in)
Beam	11.7 m (38 ft 5 in)
Draught	3.8 m (12 ft 6 in)
Propulsion	2 x Hedemora diesels
Speed	12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement	26

2. HSwMS Carlskrona Spy Ship

HSwMS Carlskrona (in Swedish: HMS Carlskrona) is the longest vessel in the Swedish Navy at 105.7 meters (346 ft 9 in). Only Belos, the submarine rescue vessel, has more displacement. She was originally designed as a minelayer and is also used for exercise expeditions. She replaced HSwMS Älvsnabben in both roles.

Carlskrona was built at the Karlskrona shipyard as the largest ship ever built at the shipyard. Not only was the ship designed as a minelayer, but it was also constructed to be used as the Swedish Navy’s long-travel ship.

 

History
Sweden
Name	Carlskrona
Builder	Karlskronavarvet, Karlskrona
Launched	28 June 1980
Commissioned	11 January 1982
Identification	MMSI number: 265170000 Callsign: SKFQ Pennant number: M04 (1980–2009) P04 (2009–present)
Status	In service
Badge
General characteristics
Type	Patrol vessel
Displacement	3,150 tonnes (3,100 long tons)
Length	105.7 m (346 ft 9 in)
Beam	15.2 m (49 ft 10 in)
Draft	4.7 m (15 ft 5 in)
Speed	20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement	45 officers 40 cadets 85 conscripts
Sensors and processing systems	2 x fire control radars with IR/TV sights
Armament	2 x 40 mm guns
Aircraft carried	1 x AW109LUH (HKP15B)
Aviation facilities	1 helipad

 

#13. United States Navy

1. USS Oxford Spy Ship

USS Oxford (AGTR-1/AG-159) was an Oxford-class technical research ship (a class of US spy ships of the early Cold War), acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1960 and converted for the task of conducting, research in the reception of electromagnetic propagations” (electronic signals intelligence gathering). She was originally built during World War II as a Liberty-type cargo ship originally named the Samuel R. Aitken.

The second ship eventually to be named Oxford by the Navy, AGTR-1, a Liberty ship, was laid down on 23 June 1945 under a Maritime Commission contract by the New England Shipbuilding Corp. of Portland, Maine as a merchant marine naval cargo ship; launched 31 July 1945 as Samuel R. Aitken (MCE–3127); sponsored by Mrs. Margaret C. Aitken; and delivered to the Maritime Commission 25 August 1945. As Samuel R. Aitken she served the merchant fleet, first with the Moore-McCormack Steam Ship Lines and then with the Arnold Bernstein Line. She was laid up on 10 April 1948 in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, in Wilmington, North Carolina.

 

History
United States
Name	USS Oxford
Namesake	American towns, cities, and counties named Oxford
Ordered	as Z–EC2–S–C5 MCE–3127
Builder	New England Shipbuilding Corporation
Laid down	23 June 1945
Launched	31 July 1945 as Samuel R. Aitken
Commissioned	8 July 1961
Decommissioned	19 December 1969
Stricken	14 January 1970
Motto	“Strength Freedom Security”
Fate	Scrapped, June 1970
Badge
General characteristics
Displacement	11,365 (f.)
Length	441 ft (134 m)
Beam	59 ft (18 m)
Draft	22 ft (6.7 m)
Propulsion	2 × 220 PSI boilers 1 × 3-cylinder triple-expansion reciprocating engine, 2,500 shp (1,864 kW) 1 × 4-bladed 18 ft 6 in (5.6 m) propeller 1 shaft
Speed	11 knots
Complement	254

2. USS Georgetown Spy Ship

USS Georgetown (AGTR-2/AG-165), was an Oxford-class technical research ship acquired by the U.S. Navy to provide a seaborne platform for global eavesdropping on behalf of the National Security Agency. Her designation as a “technical research” ship was her cover story. Georgetown was a converted “Liberty-type” cargo ship, was laid down as SS Robert W. Hart under a Maritime Commission contract on 4 May 1945 by New England Shipbuilding Corporation, South Portland, Maine; launched on 10 July 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Fred W. Woolsey; and delivered under General Agency Agreement from War Shipping Administration (WSA) to Atlantic, Gulf & West Indies Lines, New York, 2 August 1945.

In 1946 after World War II Robert W. Hart was converted to a livestock ship, also called a cowboy ship. From 1945 to 1947 the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration and the Brethren Service Committee of the Church of the Brethren sent livestock to war-torn countries. These “seagoing cowboys” made about 360 trips on 73 different ships. The Heifers for Relief project was started by the Church of the Brethren in 1942; in 1953 this became Heifer International. The SS Robert W. Hart was one of these ships, known as cowboy ships, as she moved livestock across the Atlantic Ocean. Robert W. Hart moved horses, heifers, and mules as well as some chicks, rabbits, and goats.

 

History
United States
Name	Robert W. Hart Georgetown
Namesake	Robert W. Hart
Builder	New England Shipbuilding Corporation
Laid down	4 May 1945, as SS Robert W. Hart
Launched	10 July 1945
Sponsored by	Mrs. Fred W. Woolsey
Acquired	10 August 1962
Commissioned	9 November 1963
Decommissioned	19 December 1969
Renamed	USS Georgetown (AG-165), 6 March 1963
Reclassified	AGTR-2, 1 April 1964
Motto	“Progress Through Research”
Fate	Scrapped, 1971
Badge
General characteristics
Class and type	An oxford-class technical research ship
Type	Z-EC2-S-C5
Displacement	8,345 long tons (8,479 t) light 11,365 long tons (11,547 t) full load
Length	441 ft 6 in (134.6 m)
Beam	56 ft 11 in (17.3 m)
Draft	22 ft 9 in (6.9 m)
Propulsion	2 × 220 PSI boilers 1 × 3-cylinder triple-expansion reciprocating engine, 2,500 shp (1,864 kW) 1 × 4-bladed 18 ft 6 in (5.6 m) propeller 1 shaft
Speed	11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph)
Complement	213
Armament	4 × 0.5 in (12.7 mm) machine guns

3. USS Jamestown Spy Ship

The first USS Jamestown was a sloop-of-war in the United States Navy during the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War. Jamestown was launched in 1844 by the Gosport Navy Yard, Virginia; and commissioned there on 12 December, with Commander Robert B. Cunningham in command.

History
Name	USS Jamestown
Namesake	Jamestown, Virginia
Launched	1844
Commissioned	12 December 1844
Decommissioned	11 May 1854
Fate	Became a Marine Hospital, destroyed in a fire on 3 January 1913
Recommissioned	22 February 1855
Decommissioned	2 June 1857
Recommissioned	16 December 1857
Decommissioned	14 February 1860
Recommissioned	5 June 1861
Decommissioned	17 September 1865
Recommissioned	3 September 1866
Decommissioned	13 August 1868
Recommissioned	25 January 1869
Decommissioned	7 October 1871
Recommissioned	16 March 1876
Decommissioned	3 March 1879
Recommissioned	8 May 1879
Decommissioned	21 September 1881
Recommissioned	14 February 1882
Decommissioned	31 August 1888
Recommissioned	13 April 1889
Decommissioned	6 September 1892
Fate	Served as a Marine Hospital Destroyed by fire 3 January 1913
General characteristics
Type	Sloop
Displacement	1,150 long tons (1,168 t)
Length	163 ft 6 in (49.83 m)
Beam	32 ft 2 in (9.80 m)
Depth	17 ft 3 in (5.26 m)
Complement	186 officers and sailors
Armament	4 × 8 in (200 mm) guns 18 × 32-pounder guns

 

4. USS Belmont Spy Ship

USS Belmont (AGTR-4/AG-167) was the first of two Belmont-class technical research ships, (a class of US spy ships of the early Cold War), acquired by the U.S. Navy in 1963 and converted for the task of conducting “research in the reception of electromagnetic propagations” (electronic signals intelligence gathering). She was originally built during World War II as a Victory cargo ship named SS Iran Victory by the War Shipping Administration’s Emergency Shipbuilding program under the cognizance of the U.S. Maritime Commission.

Iran Victory was laid down on 25 January 1944 at Portland, Oregon, by the Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation as Yard Number 1010 under a Maritime Commission contract (MCV hull 94) as a merchant cargo ship, one of the numerous VC2-S-AP3 Victory designs. The Victory ships, a larger improvement on the basic Liberty ship design, carried 10,850 tons of cargo in three holds. Iran Victory measured 7,608 gross register tons and 4,551 net register tons and had a length overall of 439.1 feet (133.8 m), a breadth of 62.1 ft (18.9 m), and a depth of 34.5 feet (10.5 m). She was powered by a pair of oil-fired steam turbines made by Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; geared to a single shaft and propeller, the total power of 8,500 hp (6,300 kW) gave her a speed of up to 17 knots (31 km/h).

 

History
Name	SS Iran Victory
Namesake	Iran
Owner	War Shipping Administration
Operator	Pacific-Atlantic Steamship Company
Port of registry	Portland, Oregon
Builder	Oregon Shipbuilding Company, Portland, Oregon
Yard number	1010
Laid down	25 January 1944
Launched	24 March 1944
Completed	4 May 1944
Fate	Transferred to U.S. Navy in February 1963, as USS Belmont
United States
Name	USS Belmont
Acquired	February 1963
Commissioned	2 November 1964
Decommissioned	16 January 1970
Stricken	16 January 1970
Homeport	Norfolk, Virginia
Identification	AGTR-4
Fate	Scrapped, 24 June 1970
Badge
General characteristics
Class and type	VC2-S-AP3 Victory ship
Tonnage	7,612 GRT 4,553 NRT
Displacement	15,200 tons
Length	455 ft (139 m)
Beam	62 ft (19 m)
Draught	28 ft (8.5 m)
Installed power	8,500 shp (6,300 kW)
Propulsion	HP & LP turbines geared to a single 20.5-foot (6.2 m) propeller
Speed	16.5 knots (30.6 km/h; 19.0 mph)
Boats & landing craft carried	4 lifeboats
Complement	62 Merchant Marine and 28 US Naval Armed Guards as Victory ship 318 as USS Belmont
Armament	1 × 5-inch (127 mm)/38 caliber gun as Victory ship 1 × 3-inch (76 mm)/50 caliber gun as Victory ship 8 × 20 mm Oerlikon as Victory ship

5. USS Liberty Spy Ship

USS Liberty (AGTR-5) was a Belmont-class technical research ship (i.e. electronic spy ship) that was attacked by Israel Defense Forces during the 1967 Six-Day War. She was originally built and served in World War II as a VC2-S-AP3 type Victory cargo ship named SS Simmons Victory. Her keel was laid down on 23 February 1945, under a Maritime Commission contract at Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation of Portland, Oregon.

 

History
United States
Name	SS Simmons Victory
Namesake	Simmons College in Boston
Owner	War Shipping Administration
Operator	Coastwise – Pacific Far East Line (during WW II only)
Builder	Oregon Shipbuilding Corp.
Laid down	23 February 1945
Launched	6 April 1945
Completed	4 May 1945
Fate	Transferred to US Navy in 1963
United States
Name	USS Liberty
Namesake	Localities named “Liberty” in ten US states
Acquired	25 March 1963
Commissioned	30 December 1964
Decommissioned	1 June 1968
Out of service	June 1967
Stricken	1 June 1970
Homeport	Norfolk, Virginia
Fate	Damaged beyond economical repair by an Israeli attack in June 1967; sold for scrap in 1973
Badge
General characteristics
Displacement	7725 tons (light displacement)
Length	139 m (456 ft)
Beam	18.9 m (62 ft)
Draft	7 m (23 ft)
Propulsion	Westinghouse steam turbines, single shaft, 8500 horsepower (6.3 MW)
Speed	17.5 knots (32.4 km/h) maximum sustained, 21 knots emergency
Range	12,500 nmi (23,200 km; 14,400 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement	62 Merchant Marine and 28 US Naval Armed Guards as Victory ship[citation needed] 358 officers and enlisted for USS Liberty
Armament	1 × 5 in (127 mm)/38 cal. the gun as Victory ship 1 × 3 in (76 mm)/50 cal. gun 8 × 20 mm Oerlikon 4 x M2 Browning .50 caliber machine gun as USS Liberty
Aircraft carried	none

6. USS Banner Spy Ship

The USS Banner (AKL-25, then AGER-1) was originally U.S. Army FS-345 serving in the Southwest Pacific during the closing days of World War II as one of the Army’s United States Coast Guard crewed ships. In 1950 the ship was acquired by the Navy and converted into a light auxiliary cargo (AKL). In 1967 the ship was converted for electronic intelligence and reclassified as Auxiliary General Environmental Research (AGER).

The banner was built as a Design 381 coastal freighter for the United States Army as U.S. Army FS-345 at Kewaunee Shipbuilding and Engineering Corporation, Kewaunee, Wisconsin, United States.

History
United States
Name	FS-345 Banner
Builder	Kewaunee Shipbuilding and Engineering
Laid down	1944
Commissioned	24 November 1952
Decommissioned	14 November 1969
Fate	Scrapped
General characteristics
Displacement	550 tons light, 895 tons full, 345 tons dead
Length	177 ft (54 m)
Beam	32 ft (9.8 m)
Draft	9 ft (2.7 m)
Propulsion	twin diesel
Speed	12.7 knots (23.5 km/h)
Complement	6 officers, 70 men
Armament	2 × M2 Browning .50-caliber machine guns

7. USS Pueblo Spy Ship

USS Pueblo (AGER-2) is a Banner-class environmental research ship, attached to Navy intelligence as a spy ship, which was attacked and captured by North Korean forces on 23 January 1968, in what was later known as the “Pueblo incident” or alternatively, as the “Pueblo crisis”.

The seizure of the U.S. Navy ship and her 83 crew members, one of whom was killed in the attack, came less than a week after President Lyndon B. Johnson’s State of the Union address to the United States Congress, a week before the start of the Tet Offensive in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War and three days after 31 men of North Korea’s KPA Unit 124 had crossed the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and killed 26 South Koreans in an attempt to attack the South Korean Blue House (executive mansion) in the capital Seoul. The taking of Pueblo and the abuse and torture of her crew during the subsequent eleven months became a major Cold War incident, raising tensions between western and eastern powers.

 

History
United States
Name	Pueblo
Namesake	Pueblo, Colorado and Pueblo County, Colorado.
Builder	Kewaunee Shipbuilding and Engineering
Laid down	1944
Launched	16 April 1944
Commissioned	7 April 1945
In service	1945
Reclassified	18 June 1966, AKL-44 13 May 1967, AGER-2
Honors and awards	National Defense Service Medal Korean Defense Service Medal Combat Action Ribbon (retroactive)
Captured	23 January 1968
Fate	Captured by North Korea
Status	Active, in commission (to prevent seizure, currently held by North Korea as a museum ship)
Badge
General characteristics
Class and type	(As-built) Army Freight and Supply (FS) (Initial Navy) Camano-class light cargo ship (AKL) (As converted) The banner-class environmental research ship
Type	(As-built) Light Cargo Ship; (As converted) Intel-Gathering Vessel
Tonnage	345 tons dwt
Displacement	550 tons light, 895 tons full
Length	177 ft (54 m)
Beam	32 ft (9.8 m)
Draft	9 ft (2.7 m)
Propulsion	Two 500hp GM Cleveland Division 6-278A 6-cyl V6 Diesel engines
Speed	12.7 knots (23.5 km/h; 14.6 mph)
Complement	6 officers, 70 men
Armament	2 × M2 Browning .50 cal. (12.7×99mm) machine guns

8. USS Palm Beach Spy Ship

9. USNS Private Jose F. Valdez Spy Ship

USNS Private Jose F. Valdez (T-AG-169), named after World War II Medal of Honor recipient PFC Jose F. Valdez, was a technical research ship in operation during the 1960s. The “Galloping Ghost of the Ivory Coast” or “Grey Ghost of the African Coast”, as she was affectionately called by her crew, was deployed around Africa from 1961 until 1969.

History
United States
Name	Joe P. Martinez Round Splice Private Jose F. Valdez
Namesake	Joe P. Martinez Round splice knot Jose F. Valdez
Ordered	as type (C1-M-AV1) hull, MC hull 2245
Builder	Walter Butler Shipbuilders, Duluth, Minnesota
Laid down	22 April 1944
Launched	27 October 1944
Acquired	5 July 1945
Commissioned	12 July 1945 as USAT Private Jose F. Valdez
Out of service	2 September 1950
Fate	Transferred to the US Navy
Name	Private Jose F. Valdez
Acquired	2 September 1950
In service	2 September 1950
Out of service	22 December 1959
Reclassified	Transport ship
Identification	Hull symbol: T-APc-119
Notes	Returned to Reserve Fleet
Acquired	29 August 1961
In service	29 August 1961
Out of service	7 November 1969
Reclassified	Technical research ship
Stricken	15 August 1976
Homeport	Brooklyn, New York
Identification	Hull symbol: T-AG-1169
Fate	Sold for scrap, 27 July 1977
General characteristics
Type	C1-M-AV1
Displacement	6,070 long tons (6,167 t)
Length	388 ft 8 in (118.47 m)
Beam	50 ft (15 m)
Draft	18 ft (5.5 m)
Installed power	1 × Nordberg Diesel TSM 6 diesel engine 1,700 hp (1,268 kW)
Propulsion	1 × shaft
Speed	11.5 knots (21.3 km/h; 13.2 mph)
Complement	Approximately 55 civilians and 100 Navy personnel (USNS)
Armament	1 × 3 inches (76 mm)/50 caliber gun

10. USNS  James E. Robinson Spy Ship

USNS Lt. James E. Robinson (T-AKV-3/T-AG-170/T-AK-274) was a Lt. James E. Robinson-class cargo ship, which was launched as a World War II commercial Victory cargo ship SS Czechoslovakia Victory under the Emergency Shipbuilding program. She had earlier been the U.S. Army’s USAT LT. James E. Robinson before being acquired by the U.S. Navy.

History
United States
Name	Czechoslovakia Victory
Namesake	Czechoslovakia
Owner	War Shipping Administration
Operator	American-Hawaiian SS Compnay
Ordered	as type (VC2-S-AP2) hull, MCV hull 86
Awarded	awarded the Medal of Honor during World War II
Builder	Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation, Portland, Oregon
Laid down	25 November 1943, as SS Czechoslovakia Victory
Launched	20 January 1944
Christened	Miss Barbara Vickery
Completed	March 11, 1944
Honors and awards	one battle star for World War II service
Fate	Transferred to US Navy in 1946
History
United States
Name	USNS Lt. James E. Robinson
Namesake	James E. Robinson, Jr.
Operator	US Navy
Commissioned	3 May 1948 as USAT Lt. James E. Robinson
In service	1 March 1950 as Aircraft Transport USNS Lt. James E. Robinson (T-AKV-3)
Reclassified	December 1962, as Miscellaneous Auxiliary USNS Lt. James E. Robinson (T-AG-170), a cable transport ship 1 July 1964, as Cargo Ship USNS Lt. James E. Robinson (T-AK-274) =
Stricken	16 January 1981
Identification	Hull symbol:T-AKV-3 Hull symbol:T-AG-170 Hull symbol:T-AK-274
Fate	sold for scrapping, 26 May 1983, to Andy Exports, Inc.
General characteristics
Class and type	VC2-S-AP3 Victory ship then rebuilt in 1946 to Lt. James E. Robinson-class cargo ship
Displacement	4,512 metric tons (4,441 long tons) (standard) 15,589 metric tons (15,343 long tons) (full load)
Length	455 ft (139 m)
Beam	62 ft (19 m)
Draft	29 ft 2 in (8.89 m)
Installed power	8,500 shp (6,300 kW)
Propulsion	1 × steam turbine 1 × shaft
Speed	15.5 knots (28.7 km/h; 17.8 mph)
Complement	12 Officers 87 Enlisted
Armament	1 × 5 inches (127 mm)/38 caliber gun (Czechoslovakia Victory only) 1 × 3 inches (76 mm)/50 caliber gun (Czechoslovakia Victory only) 8 × 20 mm Oerlikon (Czechoslovakia Victory only) None as James E. Robinson

11. USNS  Joseph E. Muller Spy Ship

12. USS Sphinx Spy Ship

USS Sphinx (ARL-24) was laid down as a United States Navy LST-542-class tank landing ship but converted to one of 39 Achelous-class repair ships that were used for repairing landing craft during World War II. Named for the Sphinx (a mythical monster formed by joining the body of a lion and the head of a human), she was the only US Naval vessel to bear the name.

Originally authorized as LST-963, the ship was redesignated as a landing craft repair ship (ARL) and named Sphinx on 11 September 1944; laid down 20 October 1944, at Hingham, Massachusetts, by the Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard; and launched on 18 November 1944. She was placed in partial commission for ferrying to her fitting out yard, the Merrill Stevens Drydock, Jacksonville, Florida, 12 December 1944. Decommissioned on 8 January 1945, for fitting out, she was recommissioned Sphinx (ARL-24), 10 May 1945.

 

History
United States
Name	LST-963 Sphinx
Namesake	Sphinx
Builder	Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation
Laid down	20 October 1944
Launched	7 March 1945
Commissioned	12 December 1944, partial commission 10 May 1945, full commission
Decommissioned	26 May 1947
Recommissioned	3 November 1950
Decommissioned	31 January 1956
Recommissioned	16 December 1967
Decommissioned	30 September 1971
Stricken	16 April 1977
Acquired	1985
Recommissioned	26 July 1985
Decommissioned	16 June 1989
Stricken	2 December 2002
Identification	Hull symbol: LST-963 Hull symbol: ARL-24 Code letters: NDMQ
Honors and awards	1 × battle star (Korean War) 8 × campaign stars (Vietnam War)
Fate	Towed for scrapping, 1 December 2007
General characteristics
Class and type	LST-542-class tank landing ship Achelous-class repair ship
Displacement	3,900 long tons (4,000 t) light 4,100 long tons (4,200 t) full load
Length	328 ft (100 m) oa
Beam	50 ft (15 m)
Draft	11 ft 2 in (3.40 m)
Installed power	2 × 900 hp (670 kW) Electro-Motive Diesel 12-567A diesel engines 1,800 shp (1,300 kW)
Propulsion	1 × Falk main reduction gears 2 × Propellers
Speed	11.6 kn (21.5 km/h; 13.3 mph)
Complement	21 officers, 232 enlisted men
Armament	1 × 3 in (76 mm)/50 caliber dual purpose gun 2 × quad 40 mm (1.57 in) Bofors guns (with Mark 51 directors) 2 × twin 40 mm Bofors guns (with Mark 51 directors) 6 × twin 20 mm (0.79 in) Oerlikon cannons
Service record
Part of:	Joint Task Force 1 (World War II)
Operations:	World War II Korean War Vietnam War
Awards:	World War II American Campaign Medal Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal Navy Occupation Service Medal w/Asia Clasp Korean War National Defense Service Medal Korean Service Medal United Nations Korea Medal Korean War Service Medal Vietnam War Combat Action Ribbon Presidential Unit Citation Navy Unit Commendation Vietnam Service Medal Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation Republic

 

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