Sandown Class


The Sandown class MCMV have been built in two batches.

Batch 1

There are 5 Batch 1 Sandown-class vessels:


Batch 2

There are currently 2 Batch 2 vessels:

Two more of this Batch are outstanding and in the process of completion:


Sandown Class


RELEVANT STATISTICS
Displacement 450 tonnes
Length 52.7m
Beam 10.5m
Crew 34
Armament 30mm close-range gun, RCMDS
Aircraft None.


The Sandown class is the latest class of MCMVs to enter service into the Royal Navy. Batch 2 of these vessels were delayed by a sale to the Oman Navy of previous vessels designated for the Royal Navy. The new Batch 2, beginning with HMS PENZANCE, have some improvements on the Batch 1 vessels. The most notable differences are bigger engines, dedicated accommodation for female officers and ratings, a more powerful crane and an improved decompression chamber for divers.

The Sandown class, like the Hunt class, is built of GRP to ensure that it has maximum protection against magnetic mines. It also has a secondary warfare role of a Patrol vessel, where it can operate for Fishery Protection or other patrol duties assigned to it. Unlike the Hunt class, the Sandown class is purely a minehunter: it has no minesweeping ability.

The Sandown class incorporates the most modern technology available for the disposal of mines. The sonar that it possesses has incredibly accuracy so as to identify the exact location of a submerged mine. The RCMDS is again state of the art, and should help reduce the number of times divers need to be used to dispose of mines. That said, the disposal of mines is a tricky problem and in many cases it will be necessary for a specialist diver to go into the water to either de-fuse or destroy the mine. This is a risky job but the specialist divers of the Royal Navy are considered to be some of the finest in the world at this task.

It is likely that future maritime conflicts could take place close to land, or in shallow channels. If this is correct then the necessity of minehunters will be vital. However, it is equally likely that minesweepers will be required too, and the one big disadvantage that the Sandown class has, is its inability to sweep mines. This leaves the role of sweeping to the Hunt class. That said, the Hunt class is not that much older than the Sandown class, and there are more of them. The combination of Hunt and Sandown class MCMVs should ensure that the Royal Navy can tackle any mine-warfare situations.