Italian minesweepers and support vessels for the Strait of Hormuz: the Crotone and the Rimini are already in Djibouti, with 500 military personnel on board

The characteristics of minesweepers

Crotone and Rimini – in service for over 30 years and normally based in La Spezia – are vessels specially designed for the detection and disposal of naval mines. To carry out these operations, they are equipped with a sophisticated sonar system and two remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), which enable them to detect and investigate any object lying on the seabed at depths of up to approximately 600 metres.

As always, when they are on the move, the minesweepers are escorted by other vessels that provide logistical support and ensure adequate security. In total, there should be around 500 Italian military personnel involved. The logistics vessel could be the Atlante, a new addition to the Vulcano class with high capacity for embarkation, transport, at-sea replenishment, and technical and medical assistance. It is equipped with modern self-defence systems, including sensors such as navigation and surveillance radar, anti-obstacle sonar and sonar for detecting underwater incursions. It also has a flight deck suitable for the deployment of all helicopters in the Italian Navy’s fleet. The Raimondo Montecuccoli, a multi-purpose offshore patrol vessel of the Paolo Thaon di Revel class equipped with artillery and systems carrying 16 Aster missiles, could be tasked with ensuring the security of mine clearance operations. Another vessel with security duties could be the frigate Luigi Rizzo, which is currently operating in Aspides. It has a stern ramp for the rapid deployment of the Navy’s fast assault craft.

The estimated operating cost is €40–60 million for a 12-month mission.

Operation Hormuz, if organised as a coordinated European coalition (involving France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands and Italia), could set a significant precedent for European operational autonomy in a theatre where the United States has historically played a leading role.

The resumption of shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains, however, a complex undertaking. Despite the lack of details regarding the agreement between the United States and Iran, experts believe that a return to pre-crisis levels is becoming increasingly unlikely, mainly due to the ‘congestion’ that has built up both inside and outside the Strait. The main factors influencing shipping decisions are the minefields in the stretch of sea and the possibility of tolls. A complete clearance of the Strait of Hormuz capable of removing the mines would take between three and six months.