Second rMCM vessel begins sea trials, advances autonomous minesweeping
The Vlissingen on its sea trials in March 2025. (Photo: Belgium Naval & Robotics)
The rMCM programme will ultimately comprise of 12 vessels, six each working for the Belgian and the Royal Netherlands Navy.
The Vlissingen, the second vessel in the Belgian-Dutch remote mine countermeasures (rMCM) programme has begun its sea trials phase before being sent into service.
The 12-vessel programme, with six ships each being designated to the Belgian Navy and the Royal Netherlands Navy, was launched in 2023, as an intended replacement for the ageing Tripartite-class MCM vessels.
The first of the vessels destined for the Belgian Navy, the Oostende, began its sea trials in July 2024.
That ship is currently undergoing trials of its combat system in the Naval Group shipyard in Lorient, and is expected to
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy]()
US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy
The US Coast Guard (USCG) created new units, including five Programme Executive Offices (PEOs), to facilitate and speed up the procurement of new capabilities.
-
![Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear]()
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
![US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes]()
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
