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Belgium Netherlands and France Strengthen Naval Mine Countermeasure Capabilities.
On February 20, 2025, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France took a significant step in enhancing their maritime security by officially agreeing to deepen their cooperation on mine countermeasure capabilities. This development follows the integration of France into the Belgian-Dutch Replacement Mine CounterMeasure (rMCM) program, marking the addition of a third partner for the development of advanced maritime platforms to counter mines.
A Belgian mine-hunting vessel, the Tournai . (Picture source: Naval Group)
The signing of the letter granting France a sub-license to participate in the rMCM program provides the nation with equal rights over the design of the new vessel platform being developed by Naval Group. This agreement aligns with the three countries’ goal of creating future mine countermeasure platforms, replacing the aging Tripartite-class vessels that have been in service for over 40 years.
In July 2023, the three nations had already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly enhance mine countermeasure ships and capabilities. This MoU aimed to foster synergies and shared benefits in the field of mine warfare, with the overarching objective of improving the effectiveness of the rMCM system and France’s Future Anti-Mine Warfare System (SLAMF). The agreement also underlined the importance of promoting interoperability between the various national systems, ensuring the three navies can operate seamlessly together.
Additionally, the MoU called for the creation of a steering committee, tasked with overseeing the progress of the collaboration. The committee convened for the first time on February 20, 2025, at the Royal Military Academy (ERM) in Belgium, marking the formal beginning of the collaborative efforts.
At a time when maritime security is more critical than ever, Belgium has taken decisive measures to strengthen its naval capabilities. General Frédéric Dupuis (DGMR), a Belgian aviation brigade general, highlighted the significance of the new agreement, stating, “This signature marks the beginning of an ambitious, future-oriented cooperation.” He further emphasized that this collaboration is a reminder of the power of unity and cooperation in the face of emerging and complex challenges.
“By working together, we ensure that our navies remain at the forefront of mine countermeasure capabilities, ready to protect our maritime interests and those of our allies,” General Dupuis continued. “This cooperation is a force multiplier; together, we can achieve far more than if we acted alone.”
The agreement underscores the shared commitment of Belgium, the Netherlands, and France to address the evolving threats in maritime security, ensuring that their navies are prepared to face new challenges and safeguard their critical sea lanes.