A unique minesweeper was cast in St. Petersburg
February 13, 2025

The Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard in St. Petersburg has completed the hull casting of the second Project 12700 mine countermeasure ship "Alexandrite", the plant told RIA Novosti. The formation of the hull of the third minesweeper has begun.

The ships of the "Alexandrite" series are unique - their largest hull in their class is made of fiberglass using the vacuum diffusion method. The plastic hull is stronger and lighter than steel.

- The casting of the hull shell of the second serial mine countermeasure ship, built for the needs of the Russian Navy, has been completed. Work is ahead on assembling and strengthening the hull with transverse and longitudinal sets, bulkheads, and a deck. Upon completion of assembly, the hull will be ready for removal from the matrix, the plant said. SNSZ is the only enterprise in Russia that has the technology and equipment to create plastic ships up to 80 meters long.

The lead ship of the series, "Alexander Obukhov", was launched in 2014 and is undergoing tests with specialized equipment. The minesweepers of the "Alexandrite" series are designed to search for and neutralize sea mines in the waters of naval bases at a safe distance for the ship. Mines are searched for both by the latest hydroacoustic stations of the ship and by remotely controlled underwater vehicles launched from its board. This process is automated. "Alexandrites" can also use traditional minesweepers.

The ships of the project have high maneuverability due to a set of thrusters. The length of the ship is 61 meters, the displacement is 890 tons. The designers of the minesweeper paid much attention to the comfort of the crew. The first contract provides for the construction of four ships of this type.