Recently the Vietnam People's Navy announced that it has modernized its old Soviet-built naval minesweepers, Project 266, with hull numbers "851" and "852", equipped with modern robotic systems Pluto Plus ROV, increasing the ability to clear mines, seaport protection.
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Descent of the remote-controlled mine-action submarine Pluto Plus manufactured by the Italian company Gaymarine Electronics Group from the modernized minesweeper of Project 266 with tail number "852" (former Soviet MT-221) of the Vietnamese Navy. (Picture source: Vietnamese Navy)
According to the publication of the official publication of the Vietnamese People's Army, both minesweepers have now been repaired and modernized at Vietnamese enterprises.
For the record, the two ships were built under the 266 Rubin minesweeper project at the Khabarovsk shipyard and commissioned by the USSR Navy in 1970, transferred to Vietnam from the Pacific Fleet in 1980-1981. With the hull made of steel with very low magnetism, the ship has a standard displacement of 519 tons, full load 560 tons, 52.1m long, 9.4m wide, 2.65m draft, and travel speed 16 knots/h.
One of the notable enhancements applied to the 852 is the addition of the Pluto Plus UUV robot system, manufactured by Gaymarine Electronics Group of Italy. Apparently, modern hydroacoustic mine detection stations have also been installed.
Remote-controlled mine underwater vehicle Pluto Plus manufactured by the Italian company Gaymarine Electronics Group (serial number 131) in the Vietnamese Navy. (Picture source: Vietnamese Navy)
About Pluto Plus ROVs:
Pluto Plus is made of materials with low magnetic interference and emits very little operating noise to avoid triggering magnetic or acoustic mines, it can be controlled via a fiber optic cable or Wireless connection on duty.
Pluto Plus and its variants are medium size Idrobotica ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicle) having a primary use in mine identification and mine disposal up to 400 m depth. The robot is designed for mines clearance with a time of up to 2-6 hours underwater, and a travel speed of up to 6 knots.
