EUROPEAN MINE-CLEARING CAPABILITIES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85T00287R001100570001-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 19, 2010
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: August 14, 1984
• Content Type: MEMO

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>ubject: European Mine-Clearing Capar i I itjes
Attached is a memorandum on the capability
-f several West European nations to support mine
::fearing operations in the Gulf of Suez and the
".ed Sea. I hope you find the memorandum useful.
Attachment
14 August 1984
.Distribution:
1 - Jack F. Matlock, Jr., NSC Staff
I - Donald R. Fortier, NSC Staff
1 - Donald Mahley, NSC Staff
1 - James Dobbins, State
1 - Henry Myers, State
1 - Dirk Gleysteen, State
1 - Bernard Oppel, State
1 Olaf Grobel, State
I - R. Mark Palmer, State
1 - Thomas Niles, State
I - John T. Chain, State
1 Richard A. Clark,.State
I - Robert A. Peck, State
1 - Hugh Montgomery, State
1 - William Rope, State
I - NIO/GPF
1 - NIO/WE
1 - NIO/EE
?DI/EURA/EI/SI
1 - Col. Tyrus Cobb, NSC Staff
I - Howard Teicher, NSC Staff
1 - John H. Kelly, State
I Richard N. Haass, State
1 - Robert Dean, State
I - Patrick Theros, State
I - William Howells , State
.1 - Ronald S. Lauder, DOD
1 - George Bader, DOD
4 - IMC/CB
1 - D/EURA
1 - EURA
2 - EURA Production Staff
3 - EURA/EI
5 - EURA/EI/SI
(14Aug84) 25X1
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Central Intelligence Agency
s \
DIRECTORATE OF INTELLIGENCE
15 August 1984
European Mine-Clearing Capabilities in the Red Sea
Summary
The Egyptian Government has formally requested US, British,
French and Italian support for mine clearing operations in the
Gulf of Suez and Red Sea. In addition, the Saudis have asked for
assistance from France. Most West Europeans are eager to assist
in the clearance operations.
rance has already dispatched mine countermeasures
forces to the Red Sea which should begin to arrive
later this week. Additional French forces were slated
to leave France for Port Said on 13 August.
The British mine countermeasures force currently
operating in the Eastern Mediterranean is en route to
Port Said.
The Dutch would like to dispatch minehunters but so far
have not received a request by Egypt; it would probably
take several weeks for Dutch vessels to appear on the
scene.
Italy has agreed in principle to participate in the
mineclearing effort and Greece will participate if
asked by Egypt to do so. The Greeks may offer the use
of naval facilities on Crete, some 500nm from Port
Said. Ordance, supply and repair facilities are 25X1
located at Soudha Naval Base, and could be made
available to multinational force. 25X1
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This memorandum was prepared by
Office of European Analysis.
F--
comments may e a ressed to
Issues Division,
Questions and
AC~ief of the European
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EUR M 84-10172 25X1
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?CJ k. VCLlltally will not aispatch ships to the area, but
Bonn has suggested that its naval forces may perform
tasks ordinarily executed by Allied naval units
withdrawn for service in the Middle East. Turkey has
made no s tatement on the availability of its forces.
Of the Allied forces, the Dutch and French units are the
most modern and capable. We believe British units are probably
adequate for the task at hand, but London reportedly is
unconvinced because its minesweepers and hunters lack the most
up-to-date technology. All three navies have demonstrated
proficiency in past mine warfare exercises. We believe the well-
trained Italians would perform -reasonab3y--we11??-d-esp-itie~'the--ag-e-off
their fleet. The Greeks and Turks, however, would be hampered
by inexperience and outdated equipment. The French, with support
vessels and facilities available at Djibouti, will have the
fewest problems with logistical support, but all of the West
European forces probably will have to rely to some extent on US
or Arab su
ort I
pp
. sustain operations.
This memorandum, which reflects information received as of
13 August, examines the ability of West European nations to
support the mine clearing effort. It addresses the types of
units they are likely to send, the capabilities of those forces,
and the problems they may encounter while operating at great
distances from their home ports. Descriptions of various types
of mines the force could encounter and countermeasures for each
t
e ar
id
yp
e prov
ed in the glossary.
United Kingdom
A Royal Navy mine countermeasures force, including four
TON-class minehunters/sweepers and a support ship, is currently
en route from the Italian naval base at Taranto to the Gulf
Suez.
A fifth
minehunter/sweeper, now undergoing maintenance at Taranto,
probably will be ready to sail within a week and will then join
the British force. Royal Navy officers have begun informal
discussions with US and Egyptian authorities, and the United
Kingdom's forces will probably operate in the northern end of the
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Gulf of Suez near the Suez Canal.* We believe the forces out of
Taran 7 are the only forces London is considering deploying.
At present, according to the US Embassy in London, the
purpose of the British force is simply to conduct
reconnaissance. A decision will be made later regarding further
steps the force may take.
are concerned nica capabilities of
their ships and do not wish to make promises they cannot fulfill.
The TON-class ships were built in the 1950s and converted to
minehunters in the early 1960s. They are equipped-with a
precision navigation system and minehunting sonar, but lack a
submersible mine disposal system, relying on diving teams
instead. They also have a conventional mechanical minesweeping
system, but probably lack magnetic and acoustic sweeping
equipment. Minehunting operations are limited to a maximum depth
of sn-55 meters
The Royal Navy has extensive experience in mine clearance
operations. United Kingdom mine warfare ships are well
maintained; their crews are highly trained and have consistently
performed well in NATO exercises. The TON-class ships are not
equipped with the latest mine warfare technology, but we believe
they are probably adequate for the task at hand, unless they
F_ I
encount
fl
ti
er
oa
ng mines.
Logistical support for the British force will be a problem
due to the lack of established UK naval support facilities in the
region. The force's support vessel, a trawler-type off-shore oil
support ship--the Oil Endeavor--chartered from the merchant
fleet, has been equipped with a naval communication system. A
mine warfare command staff and maintenance personnel are
aboard. Nonetheless, the ship's ability to support mine
clearance operations, especially for a prolonged period in a
remote area such as the Red Sea, is probably limited. Additional
logistic support--provisions, fuel, and other supplies and
equipment--could possibly be provided by other Royal Navy forces
deployed in the Indian Ocean/Red Sea area. Those forces are at
their normal peacetime level: a guided missile destroyer, frigate
and tanker. The two warships each carry a single Lynx light
*Some UK officers reportedly have expressed concern that the
mines in the Red Sea may be of Italian manufacture, with glass-
reinforced plastic cases that would make their detection
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helicopter that if the ships are directed to the area, could be
used for support tasks such as mine reconnaissance. The Royal
Navy, however, will probably need to use Egyptian facilities for
replenishment and maintenance. The United Kingdom is using C130s
to provide some airlift support, but it is likely to look to the
Unit
d St
t
e
a
es for additional resupply support.
France
Navy expects to be'engaged in mine clearance operations in the
Gulf of Suez at the end of the month. A French official reports
that French maritime patrol aircraft based at Djibouti have been
flying reconnaissance over the Bab el Mand outh, but so
far no aid has been requested by Djibouti.
is primarily a political gesture since the Navy believes th
ere
are no mines in the vicinity of Jidda. Nevertheless, the French
force currently en route to Jidda includes two DOMPAIRE-class
mine hunters and a diver support ship with a diving team on
board. The repair ship Jules Verne, based at Djibouti, also has
been dispatched to the area. On 13 August the mine
countermeasures support ship Loire was to depart-from Brest to
join these forces. Paris will also send two ERIDAN-class
minehunters t
o Port Said in response to Cairo's request for
..s...
L_.~_._
F_ I
s
The DOMPAIRE-class minehunter/sweepers bound for Jidda are
US-built AGGRESSIVE-class ocean minesweepers delivered to France
in the mid-1950s. The ships were converted to minehunters in the
1970s. They are equipped with a modern minehunting system that
includes a sonar and data processing system as well as a
remotely-controlled submersible for disposal operations. We
believe the ships also have minesweeping capability with US-built
me
h
i
l
c
an
ca
, acoustic, and magnetic gear.
French forces en route to Jidda and those based in Djibouti
could support mine clearing operations for a relatively short
eriod. Dis atch of the Loire however
Thle Loire, bui t in t e mid-1960s, is esigne to prove a command
1a Y1 ~ f'/11'1~Y/~1 ?n~ . rL..
f
minehunters/sweepers for a month. The shipvsupported
or the 1981-82
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deployment of French-minesweepers to Djibouti, and
that experience may have le to
modifications to the ship to im rov upport capabilities in
areas such as the Red Sea.
Naval air assets in Djibouti include Atlantic maritime
patrol aircraft and light helicopters. The replenishment ship
Var--flagship of the Indian ocean squadron--is in the vicinity of
Djibouti and can carry a light helicopter. The Jules Verne can
also carry helicopters. Other potential French forces for Red
Sea operations include a guided missile destroyer, five frigates,
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2bA]
The ERIDAN-class ships slated to operate in the-Gulf of Suez.----
are capable, new ships designed to detect and destroy bottom and
moored mines. They are equipped with precise navigation systems,
minehunting sonar, mine-disposal submersibles and have some
mechanical sweeping capability. ERIDAN-class ships can be
outfitted to detect mines at depths of as much as 80 meters from
a distance of more than 500 meters.
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F -1
The French forces are modern and well maintained and their
crews are well trained. According to the US Defense Attache,
however, they are not readily equipped to deal with drifting
mines because they lack air support. The French ships are also
not designed for extended operations in the extreme climate of
th
e Red sea and will probably experience maintenance problems-
Navy and Foreign Ministry officials have emphasized to US
diplomats and officials that Paris intends to handle operations
in the Red Sea/Suez area on a strictly bilateral basis. French
support facilities at Djibouti are probably more than sufficient
to support operations in the southern Red Sea by forces en
route. However, the French would have difficulty operating in
northern and southern portions of the Red Sea simultaneously
without outside assistance. They may look to the United States
to provide some support, especially a precision navigation system
for minehunting and possibly long-range airlift. Paris probably
would be willing to press the Djibouti government to allow Allied
forces to use French facilities, but the French will wish to
avoid a large, highly-visible US presence.
The Netherlands
The Dutch have offered two newly-commissioned ALKMAAR-class
minehunters, which are sister ships to the French ERIDAN-class,
and are awaiting an Egyptian reply. These vessels are equipped
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with state-of-the-art minehunting systems, can locate the full
range of mine types and have a limited mechanical minesweeping
capability. We believe the Dutch are eager to advertise the
capabilities of the ALKMAAR-class ships in an effort to promote
sales to other nations
Th
D
.
e
utch Navy trains extensively in
mine countermeasures and is proficient in such operations. The
minehunters reportedly are being readied to sail, and their
transit ti
t
me
o the Red Sea is estimated to be two weeks.
Greece
There has been no indication concerning what forces Athens
might send to the Red Sea/Suez Gulf area. The Greek Navy has 14
minesweepers---9 MSC 924s and 5 ADJUTANT-class--stati-0ned-at--th-e
main naval base at Salamis. All are operational and have a
limited sweeping capability against influence mines but virf-ii no minehunting capability. y 25X1
their crews are well traine
The ships' capabilities are limited because ofltheir xage,eand.
they could not operate beyond home waters without outside
logistic support. It would take either type of minesweeper a ut
three or four days to reach Port Said from Salamis. 25X1
Turkey
Turkey has made no formal statement on the availability of
its forces. The Turkish Navy, however, has 26 minesweepers, most
of which were built in the 1950s. At present 21 are operational,
and some 17 of these currently are operating in the Bosporus and
Black Sea: nine ADJUTANT-class minesweepers, which carry sonar
equipment giving them a limited minehunting capability against
moored mines; and four VEGESACK-class and four CAPE-class
minesweepers, which do not have a minehunting capability but can
sweep mechanical and influence mines. The Turkish Navy also has
four BAY-class mineswee with capabilities similar to the 25X1
VEGESACK-class.
The Turkish ADJUTANT-class ships would be of most use in the
Red Sea operation, but it would take them about four days to
reach Port Said. The BAY-class ships, while not as capable,
could probably reach the area in about two days, but they are
especially vulnerable to magnetic mines. Turkish mine
countermeasures capabilities are limited because of the age of
their equipment and because their ships cannot operate
home waters without outside logistical support. from 25X1
Italy
The Italian Government has publicly expressed its
willingness to participate, although no specific forces have yet
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been designated. 25X1
preparations were underway as of late last week. We believe Rome
might also be willing to provide transit
i
r
ghts and overflight
privileges for Allied forces taking part in the operation.
Italy has 22 operational mine warfare vessels. Eight of
these--four minesweepers and four minehunters--could depart
quickly. A ranking Italian official ' f
in ormed the US Defense
Attache on 9 August that Italy's force would likely be drawn from
modified ADJUTANT-class and HAM-class minehunters based in La
Spezia. These could arrive in Port Said in approximately ten
days. The HAM and ADJUTANT-class ships are equipped with
acoustic, mechanical, and magnetic minehunting ?and--sweeping gear:
Italy's newest and most capable minehunters--the LERICI-class---
are still undergoing sea trials and are not ready for
deployment
.
We believe the Italian forces would perform reasonably
well. The Navy trains in mine warfare and mine countermeasures,
and its performance in past national exercises has been up to
NATO standards. The ships are well handled and would be
effective against acoustic or magnetic mines. Nonetheless, the
ship are old, the crews have had limited seaborne resupply
experience, and the force would be entirely dependent upon shore
support for refueling. A lengthy mine-clearing operation would
probably strain t-he Mace,'
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Glossary
1. Contact. A mine with a fuzing device that explodes on
contact with the hull of a ship.
2. Magnetic. A mine that explodes as the result of the
magnetic disturbance (or influence) created in the water
and on the sea bottom by a passing ship.
3. Acoustic Influence. A mine designed to explode when
disturbed by the vibration created in the water by a
passing ship and its propell-ers.-- --
4. Pressure Influence. A mine designed to explode through a
fuzing device that is sensitive to the change in water
pressure caused by a passing ship.
5. Moored. Mines that are attached by a cable to an anchor
on the sea bed. Moored mines float under the surface at
a predetermined depth.
6. Bottom. Mines that are weighted so that they lay on the
seabed.
7. Floating. ting. Mines that are not anchored and are designed
to float freely in the water.
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Mine Countermeasures.
1. Minehunting. Minehunter vessels are equipped to locate
various types of mines and neutralize them by using divers or
remotely-controlled submersibles. Minehunting requires extremely
accurate navigation sensors d the use of high-definition,
short-range sonar. E: 7
2. Minesweeping. Minesweeping vessels and helicopters use
both mechanical and more sophisticated electronic equipment which
is towed through the water to engage and detonate mines at a safe
distance.
A ainst Moored Mines. Mechan-ical- sweeping is employed
against moored mines. A long cable, to which mechanical
or explosive cutters are attached, is towed through the
water. Mine mooring cables are cut, and the mines are
destroyed on the surface by gunfire.
Against B
ottom Mines. Bottom mines are cleared either by
mechanical drag sweepers that are towed across the seabed
or by electronic sweeping gear.
-- A ainst Floating Mines. Floating mines are destroyed by
gunfire wen they are sighted.
-- Against Magnetic and Acoustic Mines. Electronic sweeping
i
gear is used aganst both magnetic and acoustic mines.
Electronic devices that simulate ship noises or create a
magnetic field are towed through the water by ship or
helicopter.
-- Against Pressure Mines. There is no effective method for
.,. _ _ t, ._ _
res
neutralizing
p
su
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