Russian Vladimir Yemelyanov minesweeper begins acceptance trials.

The Vladimir Yemelyanov Alexandrite-class minesweeper of project 12700 built by Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard began acceptance trials, the enterprise said.

Project 12700 Vladimir Yemelyanov minesweeper (Picture source: TASS)

"For several weeks the crew and the trial team of the shipyard will test all systems and mechanisms, radars and sonars in the Baltic Sea," it said.

The Vladimir Yemelyanov is the third minesweeper of project 12700. In 2016, the shipyard handed over the Alexander Obukhov lead minesweeper to the Navy. In January 2019, the Ivan Antonov hoisted the Navy flag.

Currently, the Russian Navy operates two Project 12700 minesweepers, Alexander Obukhov and Ivan Antonov. The third Alexandrite-class ship, Vladimir Yemelyanov, has already started the state trials program.

Minesweepers of project 12700 have the biggest fibreglass hull in the world. It is highly durable against steel hulls and ensures better survivability. The displacement is close to 900 tons, the length is over 60 meters and the width is 10 meters. The speed is 16.5 knots. The crew comprises 44 men. The ship can operate various flails and remotely guided and unmanned underwater craft.

The Project 12700 composite minesweepers were designed by the Almaz Design Bureau located in Saint Petersburg. The basic mission of these ships is searching and disposal of mines in the waters of naval stations. They are equipped with sonars based both onboard and on remotely-controlled/standalone submersibles. However, the ships may use traditional sweeping equipment as well. In addition, the minesweepers feature unmanned motorboats.

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