Engin (ex-FRA Circe)

The Engin (M269) is a Circe-class minehunter, originally built for the French Navy as the Circe (M712). These ships were designed for mine detection and neutralization operations, utilizing advanced sonar systems and remotely operated vehicles.

Developed in the late 1960s to counter the threat of advanced acoustic and magnetic sea mines, the Circe-class vessels entered service with the French Navy starting in 1972. Following their decommissioning from French service, all five ships of the class were purchased by Turkey in 1999, where they underwent modernization and were renamed the Engin class. Under the Turkish flag, these vessels have been actively deployed in various NATO mine countermeasures exercises and maritime security operations across the Aegean, Black, and Mediterranean Seas. Today, the Engin-class ships continue to serve as vital assets for the Turkish Navy, showcasing the longevity of their specialized fiberglass-reinforced plastic hull design.