TSAMTO, June 16. On June 11, the ECA Group announced the implementation of the first stage of the modernization program for three Alkmaar-class minesweepers of the Latvian Navy.
As reported in the press release of the French company, the first stage included the dismantling of outdated equipment. After a critical review of the condition of the ships, the ECA Group will proceed with the installation of new equipment. These works are expected to begin in October 2021.
In particular, the specialists of the ECA Group will install the UMIS (Unmanned Mine Countermeasures Integrated System) integrated remote-controlled mine control system on three modernized minesweepers.
The UMIS compact unmanned system, equipped with the latest generation of A18-M AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) drones, the UMISAS echo sounder and several SEASCAN MK2 and K-STER C underwater robots for mine detection and neutralization, will replace traditional ship-based mine detection systems based on hull sonar. The new Ultra Short Baseline positioning system, installed in place of the hull sonar, will not only track mines, but also provide acoustic communication, replacing the previous acoustic module, which had to be launched from the deck.
The ECA Group modifies the minesweepers with the support of its subsidiary MAURIC and Latvian industrial partners. Several Latvian companies have previously been consulted on the supply of equipment and on-site coordination of work. Several other Latvian companies will be consulted on the purchase of additional equipment, launch systems and restoration of unmanned systems.
As previously reported by CAMTO, the contract worth 40.04 million lats (about 57 million euros) for the supply of five Alkmaar-class minesweepers from the Dutch Navy was signed by representatives of the Latvian and Dutch Defense Ministries on August 24, 2005. The transfer of the first minesweeper M04 "Imanta" took place on March 7, 2007. M05 "Viesturs", M06 "Talivardis" and M07 "Visvaldis" were transferred to the Latvian Navy on 5 September 2007, 4 April 2008 and 24 October 2008, respectively.
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During the acceptance of the ships, it was found that they were in poor technical condition. Two minesweepers required replacement of the power plant. In addition, Latvia did not receive a complete set of documentation, for which it was necessary to pay an additional 500 thousand euros. The revealed violations led to the resignation in September 2009 of the commander of the Latvian Navy, Captain 1st Rank A. Pavlovich, and the Latvian Ministry of Defense refused to accept the fifth ship.
On September 28, 2020, the ECA Group announced the receipt of a contract worth more than 20 million euros, providing for the modernization of three Alkmaar-class minesweepers of the Latvian Navy. According to the announced schedule, the upgraded ships should be delivered to the customer in 2021, 2023 and 2024.