This is the second (and final) Sandown-class vessel purchased by Romania from the Royal Navy’s surplus equipment. The contract, valued at approximately 150 million EUR, was signed in September 2023. In addition to the ships themselves, it included crew training, overhauls, and modifications. Unofficially, the installation of new onboard systems, including some originating from Poland, was also being considered.
Căpitan Constantin Dumitrescu, formerly HMS Pembroke (M107), was built by Vosper Thornycroft between 1996 and 1998. During its many years of service with the Royal Navy, it operated in European and Middle Eastern waters. It was decommissioned in 2023 and put up for sale. Ultimately, along with its sister ship HMS Blyth (M111), it was sold to Romania. The latter ship now bears the name Sublocotenent Ion Ghiculescu and entered service under its new flag on September 27, 2023. These are the most modern mine countermeasure vessels in the Romanian Navy.
Photo: Romanian Ministry of Defence
The British have been gradually reducing the number of minehunters in the Royal Navy. In recent years, Sandown-class vessels have also been sold to Estonia (three) and transferred to Ukraine (two). The latter are currently stationed in British waters.
