Delivery of the Vlissingen, the second mine countermeasure vessel of the Belgian-Dutch rMCM programme
The advanced autonomous mine-hunting vessel marks a major milestone in Belgian-Dutch naval cooperation and Europe’s next generation maritime defense capabilities.
On 27 February 2026, the Vlissingen, the second mine countermeasure vessel (MCMV) developed under the collaborative Belgian-Dutch Replacement Mine Countermeasure (rMCM) programme, was officially delivered in Den Helder, marking a significant milestone in European maritime defence cooperation.
The delivery ceremony brought together senior military leadership and industry representatives from Belgium, the Netherlands and France. Attendees included Vice Admiral Jan Willem Hartman, Commander of the Materiel and IT Command of the Royal Netherlands Navy, Navy Captain Ludo Portier from Belgian naval procurement, Navy Captain Kurt De Winter, Director of Operations for the Belgian Navy, Vincent Martinot-Lagarde, Executive Vice President of Surface Ships at Naval Group, and Steven Luys, CEO of Exail Robotics Belgium.
A Strategic and Symbolic Delivery
The Vlissingen represents a groundbreaking achievement: it is not only the second vessel in this next-generation class, but also the first built under Belgian contract for delivery to the Royal Netherlands Navy — a historical first under the BeNeSam naval cooperation framework. Belgian authorities acted as lead procuring nation, coordinating the project on behalf of its Dutch partner and ensuring delivery of a fully outfitted MCMV. This transfer underscores an exceptional depth of trust and integration between the partner nations, and, importantly, signals Belgium’s expanding role in European naval capability development.
According to senior officials present at the ceremony, the delivery is a milestone that goes beyond a simple addition to the Dutch fleet. It showcases the maturation of a binational defence programme that leverages joint expertise and industrial cooperation to produce world-class naval platforms. The vessel’s handover was described as symbolic of deepened strategic ties and operational interoperability among Belgium, the Netherlands and, indirectly, France.
Innovative Mine Countermeasure Capability
The rMCM programme aims to equip both navies with a fleet of 12 state-of-the-art mine countermeasure vessels, supported by advanced unmanned systems. The underlying concept shifts mine warfare operations from traditional close-in clearance to a stand-off approach. The Vlissingen and its sister ships can deploy autonomous surface, underwater and aerial drones to detect, classify, identify and neutralise naval mines, keeping the ship and crew at safer distances from explosive hazards.
This fully robotic, multi-domain approach represents a major evolution in mine countermeasure doctrine. By integrating unmanned systems and leveraging remote sensors, the vessels dramatically increase mine clearance speed and operational reach compared to legacy approaches. The result is a versatile and resilient platform capable of addressing modern maritime threats with minimal risk to personnel.
Technically, the Vlissingen measures 82.6 m in length, with an overall beam of 17 m, displacing approximately 2,800 tonnes. She boasts a maximum speed of 15.3 knots and an operational range exceeding 3,500 nautical miles. Accommodation for up to 63 personnel ensures flexibility for both crewed and mission specialists. The drone suite includes surface vessels, autonomous underwater vehicles equipped with advanced sonar systems, aerial drones, and multiple mine neutralisation systems — all integrated into a cohesive mission toolkit.
Industrial Partnership and European Defence Cooperation
The vessel was developed by Belgium Naval & Robotics, a consortium comprising Naval Group and Exail. Under the 2019 contract, Belgium Naval & Robotics leads the rMCM programme, with Naval Group responsible for ship design and overall mission system integration, and Exail delivering the unmanned systems and sensor packages. Construction and assembly are carried out by Kership, a joint venture between Naval Group and shipbuilder Piriou, at shipyards in France.
The programme itself is formalised under a trilateral agreement signed in September 2023 between France, Belgium and the Netherlands. This framework institutionalised collaborative development and standardisation of mine countermeasure assets and promotes interoperability within NATO maritime forces.
Operational Outlook and Future Deliveries
The Vlissingen’s delivery paves the way for enhanced mine warfare readiness in European waters, addressing both regional security concerns and broader NATO operational commitments. With the first vessel, Oostende, already delivered to the Belgian Navy in late 2025, the full rMCM fleet will be built out in phased deliveries through to 2030, reinforcing both nations’ capacity to counter naval mine threats with advanced autonomous technologies.
As navies continue to transition from legacy minehunters to autonomous-centric platforms, the rMCM programme’s success sets a potential template for future multinational defence acquisitions. It demonstrates how shared vision, industrial cooperation and strategic alignment can deliver sophisticated, interoperable maritime capabilities at scale.
About the Creator
Fiaz Ahmed
I am Fiaz Ahmed. I am a passionate writer. I love covering trending topics and breaking news. With a sharp eye for what’s happening around the world, and crafts timely and engaging stories that keep readers informed and updated.
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