VESSEL REVIEW | Lev Chernavin – Russian Navy to place new minesweeper into service

Sredne-Nevsky Shipbuilding Plant, a division under Russia's state-owned United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC), has completed construction of a new mine countermeasures vessel ordered by the Russian Navy.

Lev Chernavin is the eighth minesweeper to be built under Project 12700, otherwise known as the Alexandrit-class. The vessel honours the late Lev Davydovich Chernavin, a former Soviet Navy submarine captain who later retired as a rear admiral.

As with its Alexandrit-class sisters, Lev Chernavin has a vacuum-infused FRP hull combining light weight with enhanced durability, 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. Two Zvezda M503 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.

Armament includes an AK-630 30mm close-in weapon system for use against light airborne and surface threats, mines, Igla surface-to-air missiles, and pintle-mounted 14.5mm machine guns.

Sonars are fitted on the hull while the vessel's embarked remotely operated vehicles and autonomous underwater vehicles will help expand sub-surface coverage. The other electronics include a navigation radar, an electro-optical TV, an anti-saboteur sonar, and an underwater communication system.

The onboard systems draw electrical power from two 315kW diesel generators. Another two 210kW generators will be used during emergencies.

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

Some of our readers have expressed disquiet at our publication of reviews and articles describing new vessels from Russia. We at Baird Maritime can understand and sympathise with those views. However, despite the behaviour of the country's leaders, we believe that the maritime world needs to learn of the latest developments in vessel design and construction there.