French Navy goes Belgian-Dutch for new minehunting motherships
France is procuring new MCMVs based on the design of those ordered by the Belgian and Dutch navies. (Photo: Belgium Naval & Robotics)
France is capitalising on Naval Group’s work for the Belgian-Dutch rMCM programme for its own mine countermeasure vessel needs.
France has decided to build new mine warfare vessels based on the design being built for the Belgian and Dutch navies under their joint rMCM programme.
The French Navy will procure the ships in 2023 under its SLAM-F programme. The delivery date for the vessels remains under discussion. The Belgian and Dutch Navies will begin accepting deliveries of new MCMVs in 2024.
The decision is a no-brainer for the French as the vessels for its two European neighbours are already being built by Naval Group-Piriou joint venture Kership in Concarneau, France.
The three nations signed the mine warfare agreement
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy $76.6bn award provides stability for submarine production]()
US Navy $76.6bn award provides stability for submarine production
The US Department of War’s US$76.6 billion Columbia-and Virginia-class submarine contract gives industry demand certainty as Washington seeks to rebuild its shipbuilding base.
-
![Dreadnought Phase 4 opens £2.5 billion supply chain opportunity]()
Dreadnought Phase 4 opens £2.5 billion supply chain opportunity
The UK government’s £8.4 billion Dreadnought Phase 4 investment sets aside £2.5 billion for the wider submarine supply chain, opening new work beyond BAE Systems’ prime contract.
-
![A400M trial demonstrates airborne deployment of uncrewed surface vessel]()
A400M trial demonstrates airborne deployment of uncrewed surface vessel
Kraken Technology Group’s A400M airdrop of a K3 Scout uncrewed surface vessel points to a new way for navies to insert USVs into contested waters, bypassing ports and motherships.
