The premiere episode of Weapons & Warfare delves into the British government’s plans to give Ukraine two Royal Navy ships: Sandown class minehunters. These ships can seek, detect and destroy individual mines.
Russia has been using tanks, landmines, artillery barrages and more in its ground offensive against Ukraine. Beyond land assaults, though, Russia has been attempting to block Ukrainian access to the Black Sea, limiting its ability to export grain.
Designed by British shipbuilder Vosper Thornycroft, only 15 Sandowns were ever made, with the first entering service in 1989. The nearly 174-foot-long ships have a 35-man crew and cruise at a top speed of 13 knots — around 15 mph.
The ships are armed with six guns but are mostly for self-defense. The armaments include a 30 millimeter rapid-fire cannon, three Browning 50 caliber miniguns and two general-purpose machine guns.
Another key tool is the SeaFox mine disposal unmanned underwater vehicle system (UUV), an underwater drone that can detect mines planted at sea. They also act as surveillance tools, helping Ukrainian sailors detect Russian submarine routes.
The promise of new sea technology comes at a time when Russia’s losses in the Black Sea are mounting. At least 17 Russian vessels were struck from February 2022 through November 2023.
Despite Britain’s promises of new ships, Turkey is hesitant to let the ships pass through the Bosphorus Strait. The Turks want to keep the Strait from becoming a part of the theater of war.
Access the full Weapons & Warfare episode here.
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