The Soviet Union's large mine stocks made the shallow continental shelf around north-west Europe especially vulnerable in wartime. Hunt-class mine countermeasure vessels answered that threat with Paxman diesel engines and glass-reinforced-plastic hulls designed for a low magnetic signature. Each ship could hunt and sweep mines instead of specializing in one method. The Hunt design became a NATO mine-countermeasures benchmark for more than 40 years. Four additional ships cost just over £100 million, bringing the number in service or on order to nine. Dividing construction between Yarrow and Vosper Thornycroft also kept specialist work in more than one yard.
Chapter · 6:20-9:14
Hunt-class mine countermeasures for NATO waters
Low-signature Hunt-class vessels combined minehunting and minesweeping as Britain expanded the force protecting north-west European waters.