This is the oldest brand of battleship still in service in the Imperial Navy. Many older vessels still exist, but were removed from active service due to their low combat value and a severe shortage of crews to man them. When these ships entered service from 1904 to 1906, they brought several improvements compared to the preceding Wittelsbach class. The main artillery calibre was increased from 24cm to 28cm, and the secondary artillery was also upgraded to 17cm in order to have a heavier rapid firing artillery. Five of these ships were commissioned, all named after German states, but only two are at the disposal of the High Seas Fleet. The other three serve as training ships, coastal defence vessels or floating barracks.