ALGIERS - Algeria has commissioned a new mine countermeasures vessel into service with its Navy.
On September 30, 2017, the Algerian Navy commissioned the new vessel, called El Kasseh 1 (501), into service. The ship was commissioned at a ceremony attended by the Chief of Staff of the Algerian military, General Ahmed Gaid Salah.
DefenceWeb reported that El Kasseh 1 has a Gaymarine Pluto Plus remote mine disposal vehicle as well as a Klein Marine Systems towed side scan sonar.
Algeria placed an order with Intermarine shipyard, an Italian firm, for El Kasseh 1 in 2014, following negotiations that occurred the previous year. The contract concluded by the two sides includes an option for a second vessel. Intermarine launched El Kasseh 1 in April 2016.
DefenceWeb noted, "Orizzonte Sistemi Navali acted as prime contractor, while Intermarine carried out most of the work as a subcontractor."
El Kasseh 1 is based on the Katanpaa class mine countermeasures vessels constructed for Finland's Navy. The ship has a length of around 50 meters and a displacement of up to 700 tons. It can carry a crew of 30 and travel up to 13 knots.
