Belgian-Dutch rMCM program: First sea trials begin for mine countermeasures vessel Oostende.

According to a PR published by Naval Group on July 17, 2024, the Oostende, the first mine countermeasures vessel in the Belgian-Dutch rMCM programme, embarked on its maiden sea trials from Concarneau.
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Belgian City-class mine countermeasure vessel Oostende. (Picture source: Naval Group)

This marks a milestone in the programme led by Belgium Naval & Robotics, a consortium comprising Naval Group and Exail, with Kership (a joint venture between Piriou and Naval Group) as the industrial prime contractor.

These trials are designed to evaluate the vessel's performance, focusing on its propulsion and navigation systems, as a precursor to its delivery in summer 2025.

The Oostende, which began construction in 2021 and was launched on March 29, 2023, is the first of twelve ships planned in this series. Following the Oostende, the Vlissingen for the Royal Netherlands Navy was launched on October 19, 2023, and the Tournai on June 24, 2024.

The fourth vessel, the Scheveningen, is scheduled for launch in December 2024. Currently, seven ships are under construction, each at different stages of completion, with deliveries staggered until mid-2030.

The rMCM programme, awarded in 2019 to Belgium Naval & Robotics, stands as a key component of European defense cooperation. Naval Group handles the design, integration, testing, and commissioning of the mission systems, while Piriou constructs and assembles the ships under Kership's industrial project management. Exail oversees the drones mission system, with most drones produced and maintained in Belgium.

The vessels in this programme signify a paradigm shift in mine countermeasures, emphasizing a stand-off approach where personnel remain at a safe distance from potential dangers. This new methodology allows for a tenfold increase in the speed of minefield clearance compared to traditional methods.

These vessels are equipped with advanced capabilities, including a fully robotized system for detecting, classifying, identifying, and neutralizing mines. They can deploy a range of surface, underwater, and aerial drones, designed to withstand underwater explosions and maintain low acoustic, electrical, and magnetic signatures.

Key specifications of the Oostende and its sister ships include a length of 82.6 meters, a width of 17 meters, a displacement of 2800 tons, and a maximum speed of 15.3 knots.

With a range exceeding 3500 nautical miles, these vessels can operate with a crew of 63 and are equipped with a comprehensive suite of drone capabilities, including Exail UMISOFT System and various unmanned surface and underwater vehicles.

The vessels also feature robust handling systems, such as side launch and recovery systems for surface drones or commando boats, a 15-ton rear crane, and a 3-ton overhead crane.

The successful completion of these sea trials will pave the way for the Oostende's scheduled delivery in Zeebrugge, Belgium, in summer 2025.