The British to install new sonars at Italian minesweepers
25.11.2009 British company Thales won a delivery contract of 2093-type sonars to Italian Navy, informs DefPro. Those sonars will be installed at Gaeta-class minesweepers. Contract cost is not mentioned.
According to the agreement, Thales will deliver eight 2093-type sonars to Italy; they will be produced at the company' manufacture at Somerset County.
2093-type sonar is a variable depth sonar system capable to find and classify bottom and anchored mines. That system can be used both in littoral zone and deep sea.
The agreement is a supplement of contract signed in August 2009. Under the contract, Thales will modernize onboard equipment of Gaeta-class minesweepers.
Eight Gaeta-class minesweepers are presently in service at Italian Navy: Gaeta, Termoli, Alghero, Numana, Crotone, Viareggio, Chioggia and Rimini. Hull length of those ships is 50 meters; minesweepers are capable to accelerate speed up to 14 knots; limit sweeping speed is 6 knots. Gaeta vessels are armed with two 20-mm guns.