Natya-class minesweeper explained

The Natya class, Soviet designation Project 266M Akvamarin, are a group of minesweepers built for the Soviet Navy and export customers during the 1970s and 1980s. The ships were used for ocean minesweeping.

Design

The design evolved from the with new demining equipment including more advanced sonar and closed circuit TV. A stern ramp made recovering sweeps easier. The hull was built of low magnetic steel. The engines were mounted on sound dampening beams and shrouded propellers were used to reduce noise. An electrical field compensator was also installed. A single ship designated Natya 2 by NATO was built with an aluminium hull for reduced magnetic signature.

Ukrainian forces claimed to have sunk the minesweeper Kovrovets on 19 May 2024.^{[1] [2] [3]} At the same time, in other sources they claimed to sink the small missile ship Tsiklon.^[4] There are no independent confirmations or comments from the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Project 02668

• Displacement: 852 tons.
• Armament: 1 × 30mm AK-306 CIWS, 2 × 14.5 mm MTPU-1 machine guns, BKT high-speed pin sweep, TEM-4 electromagnetic sweep, AT-3 acoustic sweep, SZ-1 or SZ-2 depth charges, "Livadia" mine detector-finder.
• Crew: 60.

Project 02668 was designed by Design Bureau "Almaz" and is a prototype, which demonstrates the latest technology - the logical continuation of a series of Project 266ME. The minesweeper is equipped with the most modern means of anti-mine protection. It was the first Russian mine-sweeping ship to have an integrated navigation bridge and main command center, as well as the "Diez-E" automated control system of anti-mine action activities.

The St. Andrew's flag-raising ceremony was held on 17 January 2009, and the ship was accepted into the Russian Black Sea Fleet.^[5]

Operators

45 ships were built for the Soviet Navy from 1970 to 1982.

• 7 ships believed to remain in service.
  • Black Sea Fleet - 3 ships
  • Pacific Fleet - 2 ships
  • Northern Fleet - 2 ships

• 2 captured by Russia.
  • (ex-Zenitchik - captured)
  • Cherkasy (captured)^[6]

• 12 ships built for the Indian Navy in two batches between 1978 and 1988. Ship design was modified to Indian specifications. Known as the in Indian service. All have since been decommissioned. These ships were to be replaced by GSL Mine Counter-Measure Vessels, but the project is currently on hold.

• 8 ships transferred 1981-86. 2 still in active

Libyan People's Army

• 2 ships captured in February 2011.

• One ship in 1986.

• One ship.

See also

• List of ships of the Soviet Navy
• List of ships of Russia by project number

References

• Book: Gardiner . Robert . Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995 . 1995. Conway Maritime . . 0-85177-605-1 . 34284130. Also published as Book: Gardiner, Robert . Chumbley, Stephen . Budzbon, Przemysław . Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995 . 1995 . . . 1-55750-132-7 . 34267261.
• Web site: Seagoing Minesweeper Turbinist Project 266M / Natya Class . Black Sea Fleet Information Resource.
• Web site: Seagoing minesweepers Project 266M . Russianships.info.

Notes and References

1. Web site: In Blowing Up A Russian Minesweeper, Ukraine May Have Revealed A Secret: It Has ATACMS Rockets With 470-Pound Warheads. Forbes. 2024-05-19. 2024-05-20.
2. Web site: Guerre en Ukraine : nouvelle perte russe en mer Noire, l'Ukraine affirme avoir détruit et coulé le dragueur de mines Kovrovets. l'Independant. 2024-05-19. 2024-05-21.
3. Web site: Ukraine Destroys Russian Black Sea 'Kovrovets' Minesweeper. Newsweek. 2024-05-19. 2024-05-22.
4. News: Dysa . Yuliia . Ukraine says it destroys Russian missile ship in Crimea strike . 22 May 2024 . Reuters . 21 May 2024.
5. Web site: Морской тральщик "Вице-адмирал Захарьин" . Sea minesweeper "Vice-Admiral Zakharyin" . Black Sea Fleet Information Resource . ru.
6. News: 2014-03-26 . Russia seizes Ukraine's last Crimean ship . Reuters . 2023-05-09.