LERICI class

The Italian Lerici minehunters class is a successful design that has been adopted by several important Navies since its appearance in 1985. The Italian Marina Militare acquired 12 ships in two series with somewhat different characteristics. Four were from Lerici class and eight from Gaeta class. The Lerici class have three active rudders, one forward and two aft for a perfect maneuver when approaching the mines. It has a GRP fiberglass hull together with antimagnetic materials in the main engine and auxiliary equipment and has elements for locating and deactivating mines such as the ROV MIN.77, for depths greater than 65 meters, and the ROV Pluto. They also have a hyperbaric chamber to serve 2 divers at the same time. The Navies of Australia, Algeria, Finland, Malaysia, Nigeria, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States have or have had Lerici minehunters in service, totaling 50 units. South Korea manufactured them under license, being the only ships manufactured outside the Italian shipyards.

LERICI class gallery and more info