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Sunday, April 14, 2024

Pakistan acquires two Minehunters from the Netherlands

The Pakistan Navy has signed a deal with the Netherlands for the sale of two Minehunters, increasing its total tally to five.

According to Pakistan Strategic Forum, Netherlands has signed a deal with the Pakistan Navy to sell two former Royal Netherlands Navy Tripartite Class Minehunters (Alkmaar Class in the Netherlands). The HNLMS Haarlem and HNLMS Middelburg will join the Pakistan Navy in February 2022.

A minehunter is a naval vessel that seeks, detects, and destroys enemy naval mines. A minehunter uses an imaging sonar to detect and classify targets and then sends out divers or remotely operated vehicles to inspect and neutralize the threat, often using small charges detonated remotely.

Since they operate in close proximity to mines, minehunters are often soundproofed by mounting machinery on shock absorbers or using the quiet electrical drive, low magnetic, electric motors, and usually have a wood, fiberglass, or non-ferrous metal hull degaussed to reduce magnetic signature, to minimize their own acoustic and magnetic signatures, two common forms of trigger for mines.

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https://twitter.com/AIBoardPSF/status/1413559724591747073

Pakistan already has three Tripartite Class (known as Éridan Class in France) minehunters acquired from France (locally known as Munsif Class). The Tripartite Class is a class 630 tonne minehunters developed jointly by France, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

The ships in Pakistani service have Elesco MKR 400 acoustic sweep and MKR 960 magnetic sweeps for minesweeping duties. The ships have a range of 5600 km and are armed with a 20 mm modèle F2 gun as a naval defense weapon and two 12.7 mm machine guns.

The Alkmaar Class is further upgraded with improved electronics, including Atlas Elektronik INCMS combat data system, Thales 2022 Mk III hull-mounted sonar, Atlas Seafox Mine Identification and Disposal System, and a Double Eagle Mk III Mod 1 ROV.

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Comparing to the Indian Navy, they have no operational minehunters. So Pakistan, by default, has the leading operational advantage in this domain.