The mine-sweeping forces of the Baltic Fleet conducted a comprehensive exercise to search for and destroy simulated minefields. During the maneuvers, the crews of Project 12700 ships demonstrated the high efficiency of modern trawling systems and practiced interaction in conditions simulating real combat use.
During the sea passage, the crews successfully used contact and non-contact trawls, forced a simulated minefield, and carried out a set of measures to neutralize floating, bottom, and moored mines using cord charges.
According to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, all training mine targets were detected and destroyed in the designated area of the water area.
In addition to trawling operations, ship crews conducted artillery firing at targets simulating unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned surface vessels of a simulated enemy. At the final stage of the exercise, standards for radiation, chemical, and biological protection were practiced — a key element in preparing crews for operations in conditions of the use of weapons of mass destruction.
Technical features of Project 12700 ships
The participants in the exercise are Project 12700 naval minesweepers, developed by the Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau of the USC and built at the Sredne-Nevsky Shipbuilding Plant of the United Shipbuilding Corporation. A distinctive feature of the ships is a monolithic fiberglass hull formed by vacuum infusion. These characteristics make Project 12700 minesweepers one of the most technologically advanced ships of their class in the world.
Tactical and technical characteristics:
- displacement — 890 tons
- length — 61 meters
- width — 10 meters
- speed at full displacement — 16.5 knots
- crew — 44 people.