Alexandrit-class minesweeper

The Alexandrit class, Russian designation Project 12700 Aleksandrit (for the mineral alexandrite), is the newest class of Russian minesweepers designed by Almaz and being built by the Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard for the Russian Navy. The first ship was laid down on 22 September 2011 and was launched in June 2014. More than 50 ships are planned to be built. [2]

Aleksandr Obukhov underway
Class overview
Name: Aleksandrit class
Builders: Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard
Operators:  Russian Navy
Preceded by:
Built: 2011–present
In commission: 2016–present
Planned: 40[1]
Building: 5
Completed: 4
Active: 4
General characteristics
Type: Minesweeper
Displacement:
  • 620 tons (standard)
  • 890 tons (full load)
Length: 61.0 m (200 ft 2 in)
Beam: 10.2 m (33 ft 6 in)
Draught: 2.68 m (8 ft 10 in)
Installed power:
  • 1 × 2,500 hp (1,900 kW) diesel,
  • 2 diesel generators x 315 kW
  • 2 diesel generators x 210 kW
Propulsion: Wartsila MAN D&T Deutz or MTU fh from EU firms or Kolomna / other Ru diesel engines with DGen, reductors and gears
Speed: 16.5 knots (31 km/h)
Range: 1,600 nmi (3,000 km; 1,800 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Endurance: 10 days
Complement: 45
Armament:
  • 1 × 6 30 mm AK-630
  • SAM system "Igla"
  • Mines

History

The lead ship of the class, Aleksandr Obukhov, was laid down on 22 September 2011 during a keel-laying ceremony at the Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard in Saint Petersburg.[3] Originally, the ship was planned to be launched in 2012 and commissioned in 2015,[4] but the deadlines were postponed several times due to the international sanctions imposed against Russia and due to French refusal to deliver necessary equipment for completion of the vessel, namely the mine search system.[5]

In July 2015, Aleksandr Obukhov was transferred to Kronstadt to begin its sea trials in the Baltic Sea. It took part in the 2015 Navy parade but had to be later towed back to Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard for further retrofitting.[6] It was again transferred to Kronstadt on 2 December 2015 and its sea trials began on 29 April 2016.[7] The ship was accepted into service on 9 December 2016.[8]

According to the shipyard's representatives the first hull was shaped within one and one-half days, making it a world record.[9]

In March 2015, Russian Navy's Deputy Commander-in-Chief Vice-Admiral Viktor Bursuk stated there are plans to supply the Navy with about 10 project 12700 vessels by 2025, and up to 30 by 2050.[10]

The second ship, the first serial one, Georgiy Kurbatov, was laid down on 24 April 2015.[11]

On 7 June 2016, hull of the second ship was damaged by fire while it was under construction. According to shipyard officials, this would not affect the construction time, however, the launch date was later postponed.[12]

On 9 December 2016, Russian Navy's Commander-in-Chief Vladimir Korolyov reported, a contract was signed for construction of seven more project 12700 vessels with a total of 40 planned.[13]

On 9 June 2017, the Russian Defence Ministry announced first two vessels, out of the 40 planned, will be delivered to the Navy in 2018. Further it was reported the Srdne-Nevskiy Shipyard in Saint Petersburg would build two ships per year.[1] A total of 11 vessels has so far been ordered.

Design

The main feature of project 12700 is a monolithic fibreglass hull shaped by vacuum infusion, a modern construction method which results in a lighter hull with a longer service life. The ships of the class are designed to use various flails, as well as tele-guided and autonomous unmanned underwater vehicles and unmanned surface vehicles to disable or destroy mines at safe distances.[14][15][16]

Export

India has shown interest in the minesweeper and has been in talks about starting producing the ship under licence. India would require at least ten ships. In September 2016 talks were suspended as the Indian delegation awaits the results of the operational evaluation of the first Russian ship.[17]

On 9 June 2017, Russian Navy Deputy Commander Vice-Admiral Viktor Bursuk stated there were plans for the construction of additional ships at shipyards in East Asia. It is unclear if he was referring to shipyards in the Russian Far East or in other countries situated in East Asia.[1]

Ships

Italics indicate estimates

Name Laid down Launched Commissioned Fleet Status
Aleksandr Obukhov 22 September 2011[3] 27 June 2014[18] 9 December 2016 Baltic Active
Georgiy Kurbatov 24 April 2015[11] 30 September 2020[19] early 2021 [20] Fitting out
Ivan Antonov 25 January 2017[21] 25 April 2018[22] 26 January 2019[23] Black Sea Active
Vladimir Yemelyanov 20 April 2017[24] 30 May 2019[25] 28 December 2019[26] Black Sea Active
Yakov Balyaev 26 December 2017[27] 29 January 2020[28] 26 December 2020[29] Pacific Active
Pyotr Ilyichev 25 July 2018[30] February 2021[31] Summer 2021[32] Pacific Under construction[33]
Anatoly Shlemov 12 July 2019[34] 2021 Under construction
Lev Chernavin 24 July 2020[35] 2022 Under construction
2022 Ordered
2023 Ordered
2023 Ordered
before 2027 Ordered [36]

See also

References
  1. Jones, Bruce (14 June 2017). "Russian navy to receive 40 Project 12700 minesweepers". IHS Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 15 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  2. "8th".
  3. "Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard Lays Down New Minesweeper". rusnavy.com. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  4. "ВМФ России получит перспективный морской тральщик в 2015 году". flotprom.ru. 29 October 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  5. "Сроки сдачи корабля «Александр Обухов» для Минобороны сорваны из-за санкций". rns.online. 12 February 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  6. "Тральщик "Александр Обухов" передан на заводские ходовые испытания". bmpd.livejournal.com. 8 December 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  7. "Тральщик "Александр Обухов" наконец вышел на заводские ходовые испытания". bmpd.livejournal.com. 30 April 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  8. "Головной тральщик проекта 12700 "Александр Обухов" передан ВМФ России". bmpd.livejournal.com. 10 December 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  9. "Armalit-1 To Supply New Minesweeper With Valves". rusnavy.com. 26 October 2011. Archived from the original on 14 December 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  10. "ВМФ РФ до 2050 года получит около 30 кораблей противоминной обороны". ria.ru. 11 March 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  11. "Средне-Невский завод начал строительство серии тральщиков" [Srdne-Nevsky Plant begins construction of a series of minesweepers]. flotprom.ru. Archived from the original on 1 December 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  12. "Russian shipyard fire damages Project 12700 minesweeper". Port News. IHS Jane's 360. 10 June 2016. Archived from the original on 15 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  13. "ВМФ получит семь новейших кораблей противоминной обороны". ria.ru. 9 December 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  14. "First Project 12700 Alexandrit-class MCM Vessel Joins Russian Navy". Navy Recognition. TASS. 12 December 2016. Archived from the original on 15 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  15. "Russia enhances unmanned MCM capabilities". Jane's 360. 3 September 2018. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 19 January 2019.
  16. https://www.janes.com/article/90213/gnpp-region-unveils-ispum-e-unmanned-mcm-system
  17. G., Manoj (6 September 2016). "India Suspends Talks With Russia On Alexandrit Class Minesweeper Production". Defense World. Archived from the original on 15 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  18. "Thirty Minesweepers to Join Russian Navy by 2050". en.ria.ru. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  19. "На СНСЗ спустили на воду корабль противоминной обороны «Георгий Курбатов»" (Press release) (in Russian). Sredne-Nevsky shipyard. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 30 September 2020.
  20. "Тральщик "Георгий Курбатов" спустят на воду в июне". ФлотПром (in Russian). Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  21. "Средне-Невский судостроительный завод заложил корабль противоминной обороны для ВМФ РФ" (Press release) (in Russian). Sredne-Nevsky shipyard. 25 January 2017. Archived from the original on 25 January 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  22. "Корабль противоминной обороны «Иван Антонов» спущен на воду" (Press release) (in Russian). Sredne-Nevsky shipyard. 25 April 2018. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  23. "Новейший морской тральщик "Иван Антонов" вошел в состав Черноморского флота" (in Russian). RIA Novosti. 26 January 2019. Archived from the original on 26 January 2019. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  24. "Средне-Невский судостроительный завод заложил корабль противоминной обороны для ВМФ РФ и открыл новый производственный цех" (Press release) (in Russian). Sredne-Nevsky shipyard. 20 April 2017. Archived from the original on 21 April 2017. Retrieved 20 April 2017.
  25. "На СНСЗ спустили на воду корабль «Владимир Емельянов»" (Press release) (in Russian). Sredne-Nevsky shipyard. 30 May 2019. Archived from the original on 6 June 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  26. "Состав Черноморского флота пополнил новейший корабль противоминной обороны «Владимир Емельянов»" (Press release) (in Russian). Ministry of Defence of Russia. 28 December 2019. Archived from the original on 29 December 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  27. "Средне-Невский судостроительный завод заложил корабль противоминной обороны для ВМФ РФ" (Press release) (in Russian). Sredne-Nevsky shipyard. 26 December 2017. Archived from the original on 26 December 2017. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
  28. "На СНСЗ спустили на воду корабль противоминной обороны «Яков Баляев»" (Press release) (in Russian). Sredne-Nevsky shipyard. 29 January 2020. Archived from the original on 29 January 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  29. "Новейший минно-тральный корабль «Яков Баляев» вошел в состав Тихоокеанского флота" (Press release) (in Russian). Ministry of Defence of Russia. 26 December 2020. Archived from the original on 26 December 2020. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  30. "«Средне-Невский судостроительный завод» заложил шестой корабль противоминной обороны проекта 12700" (Press release) (in Russian). Sredne-Nevsky shipyard. 25 July 2018. Archived from the original on 26 July 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  31. https://seawaves.com/?p=8377
  32. "СМИ: тральщик "Петр Ильичев" передадут Тихоокеанскому флоту летом". ТАСС. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  33. "В 2020 году СНСЗ спустит на воду по меньшей мере два тральщика "Александрит"". ФлотПром (in Russian). Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  34. "На СНСЗ заложен седьмой корабль противоминной обороны проекта 12700" (Press release) (in Russian). Sredne-Nevsky shipyard. 12 July 2019. Archived from the original on 28 November 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
  35. "На СНСЗ заложили восьмой корабль противоминной обороны проекта 12700" (Press release) (in Russian). Sredne-Nevsky shipyard. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  36. "В 2020 году СНСЗ спустит на воду по меньшей мере два тральщика "Александрит"". ФлотПром (in Russian). Retrieved 28 January 2020.
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