Russian Navy's tenth Alexandrit-class minesweeper floated out

Sredne-Nevsky Shipbuilding Plant, a division under Russia's state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), has launched the tenth mine countermeasures vessel to be built under Project 12700, otherwise known as the Alexandrit-class.

Like its sisters, the future Polyarny will have a length of 61 metres, a beam of 10.2 metres, a draught of 2.68 metres, a displacement of approximately 890 tonnes at full load, and space for 44 crewmembers. The vessel also features a vacuum-infused FRP hull combining light weight with enhanced durability.

Two 1,864kW diesel engines will drive rudder propellers to deliver speeds of up to 16.5 knots and a range of 1,600 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 10 knots.

The armament will include a 30mm close-in weapon system for use against light airborne and surface threats, mines, surface-to-air missiles, and pintle-mounted 14.5mm machine guns.

USC subsidiary Almaz Central Marine Design Bureau was responsible for the design work on Polyarny. The minesweeper will be assigned to the Russian Navy's Northern Fleet.