Belgium Naval & Robotics joins forces with Flanders Ship Repair for MCM Program.

Belgium Naval & Robotics has launched an industrial offer anchored in Belgium to respond to a call for tenders issued by the Belgian and Dutch navies for the supply of twelve mine hunters.

Belgium Naval & Robotics offers the Belgian Navy a solution whose prime contractor is in Brussels and involves many local players spread throughout the country. « This partnership with FSR illustrates our strong relationship with the Belgian Defence Technological and Industrial Base and our desire to build a long-term relationship with the Belgian and Dutch Navies. » explains Jean-Michel Orozco, Senior Vice-President Mission Systems, Drone & Cyber Security at Naval Group.

Flanders Ship Repair (FSR) shipyards will be responsible for the manufacture of many mechanical parts and sub-assemblies, as well as the maintenance of mine hunting vessels (MCMs). « When Naval Group and ECA Group presented me with their industrial project to replace mine hunters, I obviously accepted because I found the approach innovative and very pragmatic, but above all ‘Belgium oriented’. », explains Johnny Hofman, CEO of FSR.

Through the Belgium Naval & Robotics brand, Naval Group and ECA Group are printing the identity of their innovative, sea proven, and resilient robotic mine warfare solution which is fully integrated into a drone carrier naval ship. « Moreover, this brand reflects our solution, whose industrial seeds will be planted in Belgium and which will generate numerous opportunities for Belgian industry in the field of mine warfare. » adds Guénaël Guillerme, CEO of ECA Group.

This strong involvement of the Defence Industrial and Technological Base (DITB), spread throughout Belgium, in the Belgium Naval & Robotics project will make it possible to consolidate national technical and operational excellence in the field of robotised mine warfare.