Hunt class mine countermeasure vessel

The Hunt class is a British mine countermeasures vessel class built primarily by Vosper Thornycroft, with some hulls built by Yarrow Shipbuilders, for Royal Navy mine-hunting and clearance work. Royal Navy sources describe the ships as using high-definition sonar, clearance divers, and the SeaFox mine disposal system, and the class also served with the Hellenic Navy and Lithuanian Naval Force.

Various ConflictsUnspecified

Hunt class mine countermeasure vessel, Mine countermeasures vessel class, Naval Systems

Image source: Wikimedia Commons: HMS Brocklesby deployed on Op KIPION MOD 45167666

Profile

Origin: United Kingdom
Built by: Vosper ThornycroftYarrow Shipbuilders
Type: Mine countermeasures vessel class
Service note: 1978-present
Produced: 1978-1989
Number built: 13

Also Known As

Hunt class
Hunt-class minehunter
Hunt-class mine countermeasures vessel
Hunt class minehunter

naval mine warfare sonar uuv

Specifications

Displacement: 750 tonnes
Length: 60 metres
Beam: 10.5 metres
Draught: 3.4 metres
Speed: 15 knots
Complement: 45
Sonar: Type 2193 broad-band high-definition minehunting sonar
Countermeasures: SeaFox mine disposal system

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Royal Navy service since 1978; some ships remain active with allied navies.
Used by: Royal Navy, Hellenic Navy, Lithuanian Naval Force

Conflict Usage

Side: Unspecified

Hunt-class mine countermeasure vessels have been used for mine-clearance operations in the Gulf. HMS Brocklesby cleared mined waters during the Iraq War and destroyed a mine laid by pro-Gaddafi forces near Misurata during the 2011 Libya campaign.

Timeline

Hunt class mine countermeasure vessel Key Events

Jun 21, 1978
First Hunt-class ship launched
GlobalSecurity's class list records Brecon as the first ship launched in the Hunt class build run.
Sources: Hunt Class unit list - GlobalSecurity
Apr 12, 1989
Class build run closes
GlobalSecurity records Quorn as the final ship in the Hunt class run, with most hulls built by Vosper Thornycroft and two by Yarrow Shipbuilders.
Sources: Hunt Class unit list - GlobalSecurity
Feb 2, 2012
Brocklesby recognized for Libya mine clearance
The UK Ministry of Defence said HMS Brocklesby had cleared mines off Libya and was named Britain's best minehunter for that work.
Sources: HMS Brocklesby rewarded for part in Libya mission - GOV.UK

Hunt class mine countermeasure vessel Images

Hunt class mine countermeasure vessel, Mine countermeasures vessel class, Naval Systems - view 1 — Source: Wikimedia Commons: HMS Ledbury underway in the Arabian Gulf

Hunt class mine countermeasure vessel, Mine countermeasures vessel class, Naval Systems - view 2 — Source: Wikimedia Commons: HMS Hurworth M39

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Sources

Royal Navy Hunt class overviewPublisher: Royal Navy | Note: Supports the Hunt class role as a mine countermeasures vessel family and the use of high-definition sonar, clearance divers, and the SeaFox mine disposal system. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 HMS Brocklesby (M33)Publisher: Royal Navy | Note: Supports Brocklesby's mine counter-measures role, glass-reinforced plastic hull, Seafox UUV fit, and offshore patrol secondary role. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Vessels - GlobalSecurityPublisher: GlobalSecurity.org | Note: Supports the class specifications including displacement, length, beam, draught, speed, complement, sonar, countermeasures, and propulsion. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Hunt Class unit list - GlobalSecurityPublisher: GlobalSecurity.org | Note: Supports the class build run, including the Vosper Thornycroft and Yarrow Shipbuilders production split and the late-1970s to 1989 commission timeline. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 HMS Brocklesby rewarded for part in Libya mission - GOV.UKPublisher: Ministry of Defence | Note: Supports Brocklesby's Libya mine-clearance service context. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Wikimedia Commons: HMS Brocklesby deployed on Op KIPION MOD 45167666Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for the primary image. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Wikimedia Commons: HMS Ledbury underway in the Arabian GulfPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for a gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-25 Wikimedia Commons: HMS Hurworth M39Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and licensing context for a second gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-25