Lithuanian Navy Commissions Two Reactivated Minehunters

Following an extensive Thales UK-led refurbishment and reactivation programme, the Lithuanian Navy has formally accepted and commissioned two former Royal Navy minehunters into its fleet.

In a ceremony at the Klaipeda naval base, LNS Skalvis and LNS Kuršis were commissioned into the fleet. Former Royal Navy Hunt-class ships Dulverton and Cottesmore, the two warships are now fitted with a world-class minehunting capability from Thales, including new sonar, command and control, propulsion, degaussing, mine disposal and machinery control and surveillance systems.

Thales was awarded the contract by the Disposals Services Authority (DSA) of the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) to refit the two former British minehunters for delivery to the Lithuanians. The project included refurbishment of the platforms and supply of a new combat system including Sonar 2193, one of the world’s most advanced hull-mounted wideband minehunting sensor system, the Thales MCUBE Command and Control system, and a mine disposal system.

The programme involved significant sub-contracting and other supply chain activity across the UK and Europe, including contracting A&P Falmouth shipyard in Cornwall where the majority of the reactivation work took place.

As prime contractor, Thales also awarded sub-contracts for the propulsion system (Finning UK), degaussing (Polyamp), mines countermeasures (ECA) and the Machinery Control and Surveillance System (Northrop Grumman’s Sperry Marine).

 Ed Lowe, head of Thales UK’s naval business, said: “The commissioning of LNS Skalvis and LNS Kuršis now gives the Lithuanian Navy a world-class, cutting-edge minehunting capability that really is second to none. It is a programme that has drawn upon the expertise and skills of our Thales team and our subcontractors and supply chain across the UK and Europe.”

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Press Release, July 16, 2013; Image: Thales