Exail partners with ST Engineering for Belgian Dutch Naval Mine Countermeasure program.

According to a PR published by ST Engineering on November 12, 2024, the Singapore company has announced that its Manufacturing Competence Center (MCC), based in Erpe-Mere, Belgium, has been selected by Exail to deliver electronics for the underwater drones within the Belgian-Dutch Naval Mine Counter Measure (MCM) Program.
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ST Engineering iDirect’s Manufacturing Competence Center partners with Exail to deliver advanced electronics for underwater drones in the Belgian-Dutch Naval Mine Countermeasure Program. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The joint Mine Counter Measure Program (rMCM) was awarded to Belgium Naval & Robotics, a consortium formed by Naval Group and Exail to provide Belgium and the Netherlands with enhanced mine warfare solutions. The program emphasizes a unique stand-off approach that utilizes a combination of surface, underwater, and aerial drones, offering a new level of flexibility and safety in mine detection and clearance operations.

ST Engineering iDirect’s MCC has earned recognition for its excellence in electronic assembly and its dedication to quality, having received the “Factory of the Future” title four times since 2015. This accolade reflects the MCC’s commitment to digitalization, skilled workforce development, and innovative manufacturing practices. Its extensive experience spans multiple sectors, including government and defense, aerospace, medical technology, and high-end electronics, making it well-suited for the high demands of the rMCM program.

About the program

The rMCM vessels, developed for the Belgian and Dutch navies, displace 2,800 tons at full load and measure 82.3 meters in length, with a beam of 17 meters and a draught of 3.8 meters. They reach speeds up to 15.3 knots and carry a crew complement ranging from 33 to 63.

These vessels are outfitted with a sophisticated suite of sensors and processing systems, including the Scanter-6000 naval surveillance radar for extensive area monitoring, along with two T-18 towed sonar systems equipped with Exail UMISAS 240 sonar for high-resolution seabed imaging.

The replacement Mine Countermeasures (rMCM) program is a collaborative initiative between Belgium and the Netherlands, developed to modernize and enhance their naval mine warfare capabilities. In 2019, the Belgium Naval & Robotics consortium, comprising Naval Group and Exail, was awarded the contract to supply both navies with twelve advanced mine countermeasure vessels, along with a fleet of approximately one hundred integrated drones. These vessels are specially designed to detect and neutralize mines.

The program has seen significant progress, with the first vessel, M940 Oostende, intended for the Belgian Navy, launched on March 29, 2023, in Concarneau, France. The second vessel, Vlissingen, designated for the Royal Netherlands Navy, was launched on October 19, 2023.

Following the vessel launch, Oostende began its initial sea trials in July 2024, marking an essential phase toward its expected delivery to the Belgian Navy by mid-2025. The rMCM program's impact has extended beyond the original partners, with France joining the initiative in September 2023. France plans to develop six mine warfare vessels for its navy based on the Belgian-Dutch design.