First New Dutch Mine Countermeasures Ship Starts Sea Trials

Sea trials have begun for the Vlissingen, the first replacement mine countermeasures (rMCM) vessel intended for the Koninklijke Marine.

The future HNLMS Vlissingen is the second of 12 mine countermeasures vessels ordered jointly by the Belgian and Dutch navies under the rMCM programme awarded in 2019 to Belgium Naval & Robotics, a consortium formed by Naval Group and Exail.

The vessel sailed out of the Piriou shipyard in Concarneau, Brittany, at the end of last week to begin her first sea trials campaign, according to a social media post by Naval Group. The first ship in the class, BNS Oostende, is destined for the Belgian Navy.

The Belgian ship had also been present at the official launch ceremony of the Vlissingen in Concarneau in October 2024.

The sea trials of Vlissingen are initially focusing on her propulsion system and manoeuvrability; it is hoped the vessel will be ready for delivery to the Dutch Navy at the end of this year.

Each rMCM ship will be able to deploy two Inspector 125 uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) equipped with a T-18M towed sonar or an A-18M AUV for mine detection. They can also be equipped with SeaScan and K-Ster C remotely operated vessels (ROVs) for mine identification and destruction.

The rMCM ships will also be capable of carrying Saab Skeldar V-200 uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). These drones can be used to detect floating mines or to relay radio communications for maritime drones, extending their range.

• You can read more details about the Vlissingen and Oostende on the Naval Group Facebook page and the Belgian Ministry of Defence website