The rMCM program calls for the replacement of the mine warfare capability in both Belgium and the Netherlands. Six vessels are currently being built for the Belgian Navy and six for the Royal Netherlands Navy, in Concarneau, (Western France). France is joining the program and will be using the same mothership design for mine warfare.
This program was awarded in 2019 to Belgium Naval & Robotics, the consortium formed by Naval Group and Exail, following an international competition. In addition to the ships, about one hundred drones will be produced. These will be integrated inside a toolbox that will equip each vessel.
Naval Group, as overall architect and prime contractor, is responsible for the design of the ships, the overall integration, and the testing and commissioning of the mission system (combat system and mine countermeasures system).
Kership, a joint venture between Naval Group and Piriou, is in charge of the production of the twelve vessels.
Exail, as co-contractor, is in charge of the unmanned drones’ system. Most of these drones will be produced in Ostend, Belgium.
The sea trials of the first vessel, Oostende (M940), took place in the Summer of 2024. This vessel is set to be delivered to the Belgian Navy in mid-Summer 2025.