Keel laid for first Belgian-Dutch rMCM minehunter
A rendering of the future rMCM programme ships and associated drones. (Image: Naval Group)
The first ship of six for Belgium will be named BNS Ostende.
On 30 November, Naval Group laid the keel for the first of 12 mine countermeasure vessels (MCMVs) under the Belgian-Dutch rMCM programme. A Naval Group-Piriou joint venture, Kership, will produce the ships in Concarneau, France.
Delivery of the first example is scheduled for the end of 2024, with the remainder staggered until 2030. Piriou will arm the ships when afloat, with Naval Group responsible for design, integration, testing and commissioning the mission system.
The contract for the programme, awarded to Naval Group/ECA Group consortium Belgium Naval & Robotics in 2019, covers supply of the ships and around 100 drones to equip a toolbox on the vessels. ECA Group will produce the drones in Ostend, Belgium.
The MCMVs will utilise a fully robotic system for the detection, classification and neutralisation of undersea mines.
Shephard Defence Insight estimates the programme cost for rMCM to be €966 million for the Netherlands and €887 million for Belgium. Both nations will receive six vessels.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Tripartite Class Replacement Programme [Netherlands]
Tripartite Class Replacement Programme (1-6) [Belgium]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Maritime defence in the Mediterranean faces challenges from vulnerable land power]()
Maritime defence in the Mediterranean faces challenges from vulnerable land power
As an indispensable energy crossroads, the Mediterranean is at serious risk from grey zone disruption. As navies increasingly employ AI data centres, what happens when cutting-edge defence technologies rely on the very infrastructure most susceptible to hybrid tactics?
-
![US Navy to conduct an experimentation campaign with emerging tech in 2026 and 2027]()
US Navy to conduct an experimentation campaign with emerging tech in 2026 and 2027
The Technology Operational Experimentation Events will inform future requirements as the US Navy looks for innovative solutions across three key operational domains.
-
![Future Canadian Continental Defence Corvette will provide “Halifax-equivalent capabilities”]()
Future Canadian Continental Defence Corvette will provide “Halifax-equivalent capabilities”
Although the CDC project is still in its early stages, the Canadian Department of National Defence already has some requirements for the future platforms.
-
![US Navy to acquire micro-uncrewed underwater vehicles for ISR and coastal data collection]()
US Navy to acquire micro-uncrewed underwater vehicles for ISR and coastal data collection
The Naval Supply Systems Command is seeking authorised resellers of JaiaBot uncrewed underwater vehicles and multivehicle pods. The platforms will support undergraduate education at the US Naval Academy.
-
![NATO tests use of “undetectable, jam-proof” laser communication in maritime scenarios]()
NATO tests use of “undetectable, jam-proof” laser communication in maritime scenarios
As part of its effort to better prepare its capabilities for operations in contested and congested scenarios, NATO evaluated a Lithuanian ship-to-ship terminal designed to not be susceptible to enemy interference.
