Greece faces reduced buy of ex-Dutch mine countermeasure vessels after Ukraine donations
HNLMS Schiedam is one of the five remaining Alkmaar-class MCMVs in Dutch service. It is not clear which two will be donated to Ukraine, but three could end up in Greek service. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
The Hellenic defence procurement agency GDDIA has reconfirmed its interest in procuring mine countermeasure vessels (MCMVs) from the Netherlands despite only three now being available.
Under a Letter of Intent (LoI) signed between the GDDIA and the Netherlands Materiel and IT Command (COMMIT) in October 2021, Greece signified its interest in procuring two modernised Karel Doorman (M) class frigates and six Alkmaar-class (Tripartite) MCMVs from the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN).
A spokesperson from the Netherlands MoD told Shephard that one of the RNLN’s Alkmaar-class MCMVs, HNLMS Urk (M861), has already been decommissioned leaving five ships in service.
These include: Makkum (M857), Schiedam (M860), Zierikzee (M862), Vlaardingen (M863), and Willemstaad (M864).
However, negotiations about a sale between the two countries conducted through a bi-national
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Advances in USV technology help develop tomorrow’s hybrid fleet]()
Advances in USV technology help develop tomorrow’s hybrid fleet
As services like the Royal Navy and US Navy aim to develop hybrid fleets to reduce reliance on and dangers to crewed vessels, L3Harris, Metal Shark and Red Cat step forward.
-
![South Korea displays domestic technology capabilities with KSS-III submarine launch]()
South Korea displays domestic technology capabilities with KSS-III submarine launch
Hanwha Ocean’s Jang Yeong-sil is the Republic of Korea Navy’s first 3,600t submarine and is the first of three boats in the military’s KSS-III programme.
-
![US Navy approaches the award of a follow-on contract for Aegis production]()
US Navy approaches the award of a follow-on contract for Aegis production
Naval Sea Systems Command intends to grant a production agreement for the Aegis Weapon System covering the FY2026-FY2030 period.
