Built 1970s-2001 | ||
 | ||
Name Natya class (Project 266M) Operators Subclasses Pondicherry class minesweeper | ||
The Natya class were a group of minesweepers built for the Soviet Navy and export customers during the 1970s and 1980s. The Soviet designation was Project 266M Akvamarin. The ships were used for ocean minesweeping.
Contents
Design
The design evolved from the Yurka class minesweeper 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 propellors 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.
Pr.02668
Displacement: 852 tons. Armament: 1x6 30mm gun mount AK-306, 2x1 14.5 mm machine-gun installation MTPU-1, high-speed pin sweep BKT, electromagnetic sweep TEM-4, acoustic sweep AT-3, depth charge SZ-1 or SZ-2, mine detector-finder "Livadia". Crew: 60 people.
Pr.02668 designed by Design Bureau "Almaz" and is a prototype, which demonstrates the latest technology - the logical continuation of a series of pr.266ME. The minesweeper is equipped with the most modern means of anti-mine protection. The project 02668 for the first time in the Russian mine-sweeping ships introduced integrated navigation bridge and the main command center, as well as automated control system of anti-mine action activities "Diez-E."
St. Andrew's flag-raising ceremony was held on 17.01.2009, the ship was accepted into the Russian Black Sea Fleet.
Ships
Forty five ships were built for the Soviet Navy from 1970 to 1982.
Russian Navy
10 ships believed to remain in Service
Ukrainian Navy
2 ships in service
Indian Navy
12 ships built for the Indian Navy in two batches between 1978 and 1988. Ship design was modified to Indian specifications. Known as the Pondicherry class minesweeper in Indian Service. 5 Ships have been decommissioned leaving 7 in active service. To be replaced by Future Indian minehunter class.
Libyan Navy
8 ships transferred 1981-86
Libya
2 ships captured in February 2011
Syrian Navy
One ship in 1986
Yemen Navy
One ship