How do you protect the world’s busiest waterways from one of the oldest — and most dangerous — weapons at sea?
In this episode, Defence Director Harry Macleod speaks with Captain Kristof Van Belleghem, Chief od Staff of The Belgian Navy, about how belgium is transforming mine countermeasures through cutting-edge technology and close cooperation with NATO allies.
The discussion explores the Belgian-Dutch Replacement Mine Counter Measure (rMCM) programme, the growing importance of protecting critical underwater infrastructure, and how autonomous aerial, surface and underwater systems are changing the way navies detect and neutralise maritime threats.
Topics include:
- Belgium’s next-generation mine countermeasure fleet
- The use of autonomous drones in naval operations
- Protecting critical undersea infrastructure
- NATO cooperation and collective maritime security
- Lessons from the war in Ukraine
- The future of mine warfare and naval technology
- How smaller navies can deliver strategic impact
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