Natya-class

Summary

Description

The Natya class minesweepers, with the Soviet designation Project 266M Akvamarin, served the Soviet Navy and various export customers. Developed during the 1970s and 1980s, these ships performed the role of ocean minesweeping efficiently.

The design of the Natya class was an evolution of the Yurka-class minesweepers, featuring improved demining equipment, which included state-of-the-art sonar and closed-circuit TV for operations. Features like a stern ramp enabled easier recovery of sweeps, and the ship's hull was constructed from low magnetic steel to reduce its detectability. In an effort to minimize noise, the engines were mounted on sound dampening beams and shrouded propellers were used. An electrical field compensator to further minimize magnetic signatures was also installed. A variant known as Natya 2, built with an aluminum hull, was developed to further decrease magnetic presence.

Regarding armament, the Natya class was equipped with a 30mm AK-306 Close-In Weapon System, 2 × 14.5 mm MTPU-1 machine guns, and various anti-mine gear including the BKT high-speed pin sweep, TEM-4 electromagnetic sweep, AT-3 acoustic sweep, along with depth charges and the Livadia mine detector-finder. A crew of 60 manned these vessels.

Over time, 45 Natya-class ships were constructed for the Soviet Navy, with seven remaining in service across the Black Sea, Pacific, and Northern Fleets. The Ukrainian Navy lost two of its ships to Russia. The Indian Navy, which had 12 ships built as per its specifications, referred to them as the Pondicherry-class; these have since been decommissioned. The Libyan Navy possessed eight, while the Libyan People's Army captured two more in 2011. Moreover, the Syrian Arab Navy and Yemeni Navy had one ship each.

Technical specifications