Oostende, the first of the series of mine countermeasures vessels in the Belgian-Dutch rMCM program, intended for the Belgian Navy, began its first sea trials campaign from Concarneau on 17 July 2024. The aim is to implement and sea-test the vessel’s performance before its delivery in summer 2025. The rMCM program is being led by Belgium Naval & Robotics, a consortium formed by Naval Group and Exail, and involves Kership (a joint venture between Piriou and Naval Group) as industrial prime contractor.
During this first sea trial, the ship’s performance will be put to the test, in particular its propulsion and navigation systems. Several test campaigns will then follow to test all the systems.
Clémence Picard-Destelan, Naval Group’s onboard manager for this test campaign, said: “This first test campaign for a production ship is a technically very important and symbolically very powerful moment: it is the first time that a ship of this type has taken to sea, and this has been possible thanks to the mobilisation of our teams and our partners since the construction of this ship was launched three years ago.”
Seven ships under construction
Launched in 2021, the Oostende was launched on 29 March 2023, followed by the second ship in the series, the Vlissingen, for the Royal Netherlands Navy, on 19 October 2023, and the Tournai on 24 June 2024. The fourth ship in the series, the Scheveningen, is due to be launched in December 2024. In total, seven of the twelve ships in the series are currently under construction, at various stages of completion.
Delivery of the Oostende is scheduled for summer 2025 in Zeebrugge, Belgium. Deliveries of the other ships will then be staggered until mid-2030.