The Elbe-class replenishment ships are also known as tenders of the German Navy.

They are intended to support German naval units away from their home ports.

The ships carry fuel, provisions, ammunition and other matériel and also provide medical services.

In addition to their own on-board crew, doctors, military police, language mediators and an Austrian boarding team were also embarked, so that the crew comprised around 105 women and men.

[2] Media related to A515 Main (ship, 1994) at Wikimedia Commons