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.
Source:
