Navy veteran from the Royal Fleet transitions to Romanian navy, enhancing security in the Black Sea region
The Romanian Navy's ship Căpitan Constantin Dumitrescu (M217) was officially commissioned into its fleet in August 2025, following a ceremony at Rosyth, Scotland. The vessel, previously known as HMS Pembroke, was transferred from the Royal Navy as part of a collaboration between the UK's Defence Equipment and Support agency and Babcock [1][2][3][4].
The Căpitan Constantin Dumitrescu is a Sandown-class minehunter, designed to detect and neutralize naval mines, securing safe maritime routes. With this acquisition, Romania bolsters its naval capabilities, contributing significantly to NATO's security mission in the Black Sea region [1].
During its Royal Navy service, the Căpitan Constantin Dumitrescu was renowned for discovering and disposing of a First World War Russian mine off the coast of Lithuania. The vessel, like its predecessor, is a 52.5-meter ship equipped for deep-water mine warfare operations [1].
The commissioning ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials, including Vice Admiral Mihai Panait, Chief of the Romanian Navy, Major General Rich Cantrill, Commander Operations of the Royal Navy, and representatives from Babcock, the company responsible for the vessels' refurbishment [1].
The Căpitan Constantin Dumitrescu uses high-definition sonar and the ATLAS Seafox mine disposal system for underwater threat detection and neutralization. This technology ensures the vessel's operational readiness and efficiency in performing its mine countermeasures role [1].
The Romanian Navy plans for the military crew onboard the M271 Căpitan Constantin Dumitrescu to undergo training activities before the deployment voyage to Constanta. The expected arrival of the ship in Constanta is scheduled for the end of this year [1].
This transfer marks the second former British minehunter to be delivered to Romania, following the delivery of HMS Blyth in September 2023. The UK's Defence Equipment Sales Authority managed both ship transfers, reinforcing NATO's mission and showcasing strong bilateral ties [1].
Similar transfers have also been made to Lithuania, Estonia, Greece, and Ukraine, further strengthening NATO's collective security efforts in the region. The Royal Navy is phasing out its Sandown-class vessels in favor of autonomous mine-hunting systems, making way for other nations to benefit from their capabilities [1].
References: [1] BBC News. (2025, August 1). Romanian Navy's new minehunter commissioned in Scotland. BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-57642374 [2] Romanian Ministry of National Defence. (2025, August 1). The Căpitan Constantin Dumitrescu minehunter enters service. Romanian Ministry of National Defence. https://www.mafn.ro/ro/actualitati/capitan-constantin-dumitrescu-intrarea-in-serviciu-a-minierului-dumitrescu-17748 [3] Royal Navy. (2025, August 1). HMS Pembroke decommissioned. Royal Navy. https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/20250801-hms-pembroke-decommissioned [4] Defence Equipment and Support. (2025, August 1). Two Sandown-class minehunters transferred to Romania. Defence Equipment and Support. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/two-sandown-class-minehunters-transferred-to-romania
The Căpitan Constantin Dumitrescu, a Sandown-class minehunter, uses advanced technology such as high-definition sonar and the ATLAS Seafox mine disposal system for secure maritime routes, aligning it with the progress of sports technology that aims to enhance precision and efficiency. In the spirit of camaraderie common in both sports and military collaborations, Romania and the UK strengthen their bond by sharing knowledge and resources, as seen in the transfer of the Căpitan Constantin Dumitrescu from the Royal Navy to the Romanian Fleet.
