Russian Navy Orders Another Seven Project 12700 Alexandrit-class MCM Vessels

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Naval Forces News - Russia
 
 
 
Russian Navy Orders Another Seven Project 12700 Alexandrit-class MCM Vessels
 
The Russian Navy signed a contract for the construction of another seven fiberglass mine sweepers of project 12700 (code Alexandrit), Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Korolev said.
     
Project 12700 mine sweeper Alexander ObukhovThe first Project 12700 Alexandrit-class MCM vessel. Picture: Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard
     
"We have finally planned and already contracted seven warships of the project and in future we plan to order over 40 minesweepers," he said.

The ships of project 12700 Alexandrite are a new generation of mine sweepers. The fiberglass hull considerably decreases the weight and extends the life cycle. The warships can fight mines with various flails, tele-guided and autonomous unmanned underwater craft.

The Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard in St. Petersburg signed a contract with the defense ministry in 2014 for the construction of the first three sweepers of the project. They are to be handed over to the Navy in 2016-2018. Today the lead Alexander Obukhov joined the Navy. The second Georgy Kurbatov sweeper of the series had its keel laid in the spring of 2015. The laying of the keel of the third warship is scheduled in the spring of 2017.

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