The recent mining event during the Ukraine-Russia conflict in the Black Sea on March 3 is a timely reminder of the threat posed by this type of weapon. An Estonian Freighter sank after a mine-like explosion in the approaches to Odessa with possible loss of life. A number of other incidents unfolded, including buoyant anti invasion mines allegedly laid by Ukraine as a protective minefield in the approaches to Odessa breaking loose from their moorings and floating free.
There is some speculation that these mines were in fact laid by Russian forces as their condition (absence of rust and fresh paintwork) and the distance from Odessa where they were allegedly laid, make their Ukrainian origin open to conjecture. Disinformation abounds and it is unlikely to be confirmed either way. Romanian MCM units disposed of one mine floating near their maritime border with Bulgaria and the Turkish MCM force another floating near the Bosporus. The disruption to all shipping has been considerable and Maritime Shipping Insurance brokers headquartered in London have stated that Ukrainian waters, part of the Black Sea and Sea of Azov as ‘high risk’ for shipping insurance premiums and coverage has been removed in some cases altogether for ships operating in the area.
Meanwhile back in Australia, where is the RAN up to in its main programs to rejuvenate MCM and Mining as of May 2022? As readers may well be aware, there are three mine warfare programs underway: SEA 1778, SEA 1905 and SEA 2000. Both SEA 1778 and 1905 are lead projects into the RAN embrace of Remote Autonomous System and Artificial Intelligence (RAS-AI).
This is an excerpt from APDR. To read the full story click here.
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