On November 3, 2025, the M940 Oostende, the first vessel of the new mine countermeasure capability under the Belgian-Dutch Replacement Mine Counter Measures (rMCM) program, docked for the first time at the naval base in Zeebruges. This occurred after her first voyage in international waters. This arrival takes place in accordance with the updated delivery schedule and represents an important step in the renewal of Belgian maritime assets.
Belgian Ministry of Defence press release – Translated by Naval News
The M940 Oostende, the first ship of the new City-class, represents a technological revolution in the field of mine warfare. Designed according to the “stand-off” concept, the vessel can, thanks to its toolbox, detect, classify, and neutralize mines from a distance. This toolbox consists of a fleet of surface, underwater, and aerial drones. This innovative approach significantly reduces the risks to the crew and allows for safer, more precise, and more efficient operations.
“The arrival of the Oostende in Zeebruges marks the first step in our entry into a new generation of mine countermeasures — safer, more effective, and better suited to tomorrow’s maritime challenges.”
— Vice Admiral Tanguy Botman, Commander of the Belgian Navy
With this first international voyage and first mooring, the binational program enters a new phase. The Belgian Navy will commission the first platform and then begin crew training. In the initial phase, the goal will be to reach the “safe navigation” level. The crew will then learn to pilot the ship safely under normal conditions, without using advanced systems. This is the first stage of the training process, focusing on basic navigation, naval procedures, and deck discipline. Subsequently, the complexity of the exercises will increase gradually. The use of drones, integrated into the toolbox, will be included in the training process at a later stage. At the same time, personnel specializing in the use of this toolbox will be trained through factory-based courses. After their official transfer to the Belgian Navy, these mission modules will be added to the core crew of the M940 Oostende.
Delivery to the Netherlands
At the request of Belgium Naval & Robotics, the delivery of the second MCM platform, M840 Vlissingen, has been postponed by two months. During this period, additional and more complex tests of the platform with the toolbox will be carried out. This extra time will also be used to complete the platform to a high-quality standard. Delivery to the Dutch Ministry of Defence is scheduled for the end of February 2026.
First delivery of unmanned systems
The first delivery of unmanned systems is planned for the end of November 2025. This will allow further testing of developments in order to provide both navies with the most efficient possible combination of systems. Even after the initial delivery, continuous improvements will be made in close cooperation with industry, highlighting the innovative nature of this program.
The first sea trials and mooring of the M940 Oostende mark the beginning of a new era in mine warfare, where technological innovation, international cooperation, and increased sailor safety take center stage. It also strengthens maritime cooperation between Belgium and the Netherlands, partners for decades in mine countermeasure operations. Together, they are building a leading capability for Europe.
“Maritime security is not a luxury, but an absolute necessity for our economy. A blockade of Belgian ports could, in just five days, cause nearly 280 million euros in economic losses. The deployment of modern mine countermeasure vessels such as the Oostende is therefore essential to guarantee our maritime access and protect our prosperity,” said Minister of Defence Theo Francken.
“This vessel is the first tangible result of a large-scale binational program with the Netherlands, in which Belgium has assumed a leading role. The BNS Oostende is indeed revolutionary. It is not a classic minehunter but a drone carrier — a platform that safely operates autonomous systems deployed remotely. The BNS Oostende is much more than a ship. It is a symbol of progress, cooperation, and confidence in the future.”
Air General Frederik Vansina, Chief of Defence
“The key word today is integration. A word powerful in its simplicity, yet profound in meaning. Integration means connecting. It means building bridges between policy and practice, between vision and implementation, between ambition and reality. The cooperation between the Belgian and Dutch navies is a prime example of this. Today, the transformation of our Navy becomes very visible with the arrival of the Oostende. A story that officially began in 2019. Six years later, ten of the twelve vessels are under construction, with the Oostende being the first completed ship and serving as a reference for the series.”
Major General Geert Bouchez, DGMR Systems
“Exail is proud, alongside Naval Group, to deliver this new drone-based mine countermeasure capability to Belgium and the Netherlands. The result of our investments in Belgium, where all our drones are produced, this program embodies exemplary European cooperation between industry, the navies, and national authorities. Thanks to its expertise across the entire drone system — from navigation technologies to complete command and control systems — Exail contributes, within this European cooperation, to equipping Belgium and the Netherlands with cutting-edge technological capabilities that will set a new standard within NATO and strengthen European sovereignty.”
Pierre Éric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group
The rMCM program was awarded in 2019 to Belgium Naval & Robotics, a consortium composed of Naval Group and Exail, following an international tender. It provides for the delivery of twelve mine countermeasure vessels to the Belgian and Dutch navies, as well as around one hundred specialized drones integrated into a toolbox to equip the ships. Naval Group is responsible for the design and integration of the vessels, while Exail is in charge of the drones and robotic solutions. This collaboration illustrates Europe’s ability to innovate in support of maritime security.
– End –
