Ukrainian mine countermeasure ships will take part in three NATO exercises

The Navy of the Ukrainian Armed Forces told what “Cherkasy” and “Chernihiv” mine-countermeasure ships, which Great Britain handed over to Ukraine, will do this year.

The Navy reminded that in 2022 two ships of the “Sandown” class were withdrawn from the British fleet, were named “Cherkasy” and “Chernihiv” and were involved in multinational exercises under the Ukrainian flag.

This year, the crews of “Cherkasy” and “Chernihiv” are undergoing training as part of the anti-mine forces. In particular, servicemen master the use of anti-mine weapons, tactical techniques and methods of demining water areas according to NATO standards.

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The teams have completed the first stage of training of anti-mine ships and received positive evaluations based on the results of the certification of NATO specialists during the Joint Warrior 23-II exercises. In the future, servicemen will undergo intensive training of ships for action in any conditions – both individually and as part of a formation.

This year, “Cherkasy” and “Chernihiv” will also take part in three international trainings. At the final stage, NATO experts will certify the ships for interoperability for operations as part of NATO naval mine countermeasures groups.

“Conclusion of relevant contracts is critically important. This will initiate the formation of a maritime anti-mine group in the Black Sea and will allow to avoid image losses for Ukraine in the eyes of a strategic partner. After all, it was Great Britain that initiated the creation of the International Coalition of Countries to Restore the Capabilities of our Naval Forces,” added Deputy Defense Minister Yuriy Dzhihyr.

We previously reported that Romania received the first “Sandown” class minesweeper from Great Britain.