Russian Navy commissions new Alexandrite Class Minesweeper

According to the Russian local press, a ceremony was held to commission the newest Alexandrite Class Minesweeper, Vladimir Emelyanov (Pennant Number : 659), on December 28. The ceremony for the minesweeper was held in the main base of the Baltic Fleet – the city of Baltiysk, where ship’s crew completed the state test program.

The ship is delivered to Black Sea fleet.  After raising the Andreevsky flag, the crew will begin to hand over course tasks and prepare for the transition to Sevastopol.

Vladimir Emelyanov was built at the Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard. During the acceptance trials at Baltic, she successfully demonstrated his seaworthy and fighting qualities. Including high maneuverability and the ability to detect and destroy smart mines. Composite material was used to make the minesweeper’s hull. On board a modern search complex “Alexandrite”. In addition, the ship is equipped with an unmanned boat with a robotic control system.

“The sea minesweeper is an example of the effective implementation of a large-scale project on the re-equipment of the Russian fleet,” said Vladimir Vorobyev, chief of staff of the Baltic Fleet.

“After Crimea became part of Russia, a global fleet renewal began. When new ships arrive, it is always a holiday for us,” shared Pavel Yasnitsky, deputy commander of the Crimean Naval Base.

“Vladimir Emelyanov” – the third production ship of project 12700, built at the Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard, is a representative of a new generation of mine defense ships, has a unique hull of monolithic fiberglass, an automated mine action control system, is armed with modern sonar stations located on the ship and on remote-controlled and autonomous underwater shells.