This thread is about Modern Minesweepers, Mine Sweeper Tendrers, and Mine Countermeasure vessels.
I will start with among the best Countermine vessels/Tenders built today, The Japanese Uraga Class.
They are as big as most destroyers, displacing in at almost 6,000 tons. They are armed with a 76mm gun, two Phalanx CIWS, and all of the implements necessary for counter mine warfare.
They are designed to act as the flagship for a flotilla of minesweepers providing logistics and for the other minesweepers. They are able to refuel, provide food, water and other supplies, as well as carry various mission-related equipment that are inconvenient to have aboard the smaller ships permanently. These vessels also have extensive medical facilities, having even a decompression chamber for divers.
From a Mine Countermeasures task force standpoint, the vessels also are equipeed with the command and communication facilities to allow them to be the flagships of mine warfare fleets. One of these vessels can command and logistically support a fleet of 12-15 minesweepers.
Their helideck and hanger were designed to be large enough, and strong enough specifically for the MH-53E Sea Dragon mine countermeasures helicopters that the JMSDF operates.
In addition to the support, tender, and Command and Control functions, these vessels are capable of performing all of the mine countermeasures missions themselves. Using specialized mine hunting sonar and unmanned underwater , the two ships locate, classify, and destroy mines..
They are also designed to cut cables on moored mines and generate sound signals and magnetic fields that detonate bottom mines. They can also embark an EOD team used the that dive on, identify, defuse and destroy or remove mines from the water.
As I say, they are very capable counter mine vessels, and among the best in the world.
Please post more information about these or other such vessels, from whatever nation (non-Chinese) , their pictures, videos, specifications, and history here on this thread.
I will start with among the best Countermine vessels/Tenders built today, The Japanese Uraga Class.
The Uraga class MST are very impressive vessels. The JMSDF has two of them, the Uraga MST-463, and the Bungo, MST-464.They are as big as most destroyers, displacing in at almost 6,000 tons. They are armed with a 76mm gun, two Phalanx CIWS, and all of the implements necessary for counter mine warfare.
They are designed to act as the flagship for a flotilla of minesweepers providing logistics and for the other minesweepers. They are able to refuel, provide food, water and other supplies, as well as carry various mission-related equipment that are inconvenient to have aboard the smaller ships permanently. These vessels also have extensive medical facilities, having even a decompression chamber for divers.
From a Mine Countermeasures task force standpoint, the vessels also are equipeed with the command and communication facilities to allow them to be the flagships of mine warfare fleets. One of these vessels can command and logistically support a fleet of 12-15 minesweepers.
Their helideck and hanger were designed to be large enough, and strong enough specifically for the MH-53E Sea Dragon mine countermeasures helicopters that the JMSDF operates.
In addition to the support, tender, and Command and Control functions, these vessels are capable of performing all of the mine countermeasures missions themselves. Using specialized mine hunting sonar and unmanned underwater , the two ships locate, classify, and destroy mines..
They are also designed to cut cables on moored mines and generate sound signals and magnetic fields that detonate bottom mines. They can also embark an EOD team used the that dive on, identify, defuse and destroy or remove mines from the water.
As I say, they are very capable counter mine vessels, and among the best in the world.
Please post more information about these or other such vessels, from whatever nation (non-Chinese) , their pictures, videos, specifications, and history here on this thread.
Last edited: