Two Italian minesweepers, the Crotone and the Rimini, have set sail from Augusta, Sicily, heading to Djibouti. The measure, announced by Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, responds to the possibility of a conflict in the Strait of Hormuz area. The slowness of these specialized vessels contrasts with the urgency of the situation, as allied units would take nearly a month to arrive.
Technical capability of the vessels in the mine-clearing mission 🚢
The Crotone and Rimini are designed to locate and neutralize naval mines, a key operation in strategic waters such as the Strait of Hormuz. They will sail at low speed escorted by the Atlante, a logistics support ship, and the Montecuccoli, a multirole unit with air defense. The crew, about 400 personnel trained in the Mediterranean, must ensure the safety of the route without relying on immediate NATO reinforcements.
The fleet travels so slowly that the conflict might be resolved before it arrives 🐢
While the minesweepers advance at a snail's pace escorted by two ships, one wonders if they will arrive in time or if the conflict will have ended out of boredom. With 400 sailors and a pace worthy of a retirement cruise, Italy shows that prudence can also be an art. That said, if there are mines, at least they will arrive well-rested and ready to sweep the seabed.