News in Brief

DESA sells two Royal Navy minehunters to Romania

Two minehunters, which served the Royal Navy around the globe, will find a new lease of life with one of the UK’s NATO allies.

HMS Blyth and HMS Pembroke, which patrolled the seas as Sandown-class Mine Counter Measure Vessels, have been sold to Romania by DE&S’ Defence Equipment Sales Authority (DESA). Blyth was decommissioned in 2021, while Pembroke will be retired early next year.

The former Sandown-class ships use high-definition sonar to scour the seabed for mines and lost explosives, which are then safely destroyed by the ship’s clearance diving teams or the Atlas Seafox mine disposal system.

DESA Head Richard Whalley said: “Our dedicated sales team continue to find new homes for the retired Royal Navy Sandown-class ships and I am pleased to see HMS Blyth and HMS Pembroke preparing for their new roles. This agreement highlights the strong relationship we have with our allies and feeds into NATO’s collective mission of supporting global security.”

In the context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, drifting mines pose a direct threat to Black Sea states and sea-based lines of communication. This sale will allow Romania to make a direct, positive contribution to the region’s maritime security.

The DE&S Ships Support team has been working with Babcock to refurbish the mine-hunters before they are sent to their new owners. HMS Blyth was transferred to the Romanian Navy in September, while HMS Pembroke will be transferred in spring 2024.