Chess Dynamics to supply fire control systems for new Belgian and Dutch minehunters
Chess Dynamics has been awarded by French shipbuilder Kership for the supply of electro-optical surveillance systems that will equip the class of 12 mine countermeasure vessels (MCMV) being developed for the Belgian and Royal Netherlands navies.
The 2,800t MCMVs (pictured) will be fully integrated with a range of unmanned airborne, surface and subsurface mine countermeasure systems, with the programme achieving its Systems Functional Review milestone in May this year.
The Sea Eagle system provided all-weather, 24-hour surveillance, tracking and target data solutions and will be interfaced with the ships’ combat management and gun fire control systems.
Dave Eldridge, Chess Dynamics sales director commented: ‘These systems will be delivered from our Naval Centre of Excellence in Plymouth. Significant investment has been made to retain and recruit the necessary expertise to develop and evolve our Sea Eagle family of systems, incorporating industry-leading technology and designs.’
The contract will see two systems provided for each of the 12 MCMVs, with Belgium and the Netherlands becoming the fourth and fifth European naval customers operating the Sea Eagle capability. More than 90 units have been delivered to navies worldwide.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Shoreline vulnerability drives Gulf interest in USV networks]()
Shoreline vulnerability drives Gulf interest in USV networks
Ukraine’s combat-proven Magura uncrewed surface vessel is attracting Gulf state interest as the Iran war exposes gaps in layered maritime air defence, raising questions about whether low-cost attritable systems can gain a foothold in a procurement culture historically drawn to high-end Western platforms.
-
![Sweden swayed by speed to capability in French frigate win]()
Sweden swayed by speed to capability in French frigate win
Naval Group has secured a contract to supply four Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention frigates to the Royal Swedish Navy, extending the French naval industry’s reach into Northern Europe and showing why speed to capability has become the defining criterion in today’s defence procurement contests.
-
![SOF Week 2026: US NSW explores 3D-printed USVs for forward-deployed operations]()
SOF Week 2026: US NSW explores 3D-printed USVs for forward-deployed operations
US Naval Special Warfare Command is assessing the feasibility of rapidly producing expendable mid-sized USVs in theatre to support SOF and maritime security missions.
-
![SOF Week 2026: MARSOC selects upgraded Shark Marine dive navigation system]()
SOF Week 2026: MARSOC selects upgraded Shark Marine dive navigation system
MARSOC is procuring the Shark Marine Dive Tablet 2 to address a longstanding combat diver navigation capability gap, improving underwater positioning, situational awareness and integration with existing diver propulsion vehicles.
