By the end of 2025, the Netherlands is expected to deliver a second vessel, Vice Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa, Commander of the Ukrainian Navy reported on Sunday, October 12.
"Recently, we received an Alkmaar-class mine countermeasures vessel from our partners, and by the end of the year, we expect the delivery of another. Crew training is already underway," Neizhpapa said.
Read more: Ukrainian Navy Receives Two Minehunters from Belgium and the Netherlands, with Another One on the Way — Why This Matters
He added that on October 12, he met with a delegation led by Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Breekelman and Commander-in-Chief of the Dutch Armed Forces General Onno Eichelsheim.
During the meeting, Neizhpapa noted, they discussed the security situation in the Black Sea region and prospects for further cooperation.
The Ukrainian Navy Commander also expressed gratitude to the Netherlands for its efforts and collaboration within the framework of the Coalition of Ukraine's Maritime Capabilities.
Alkmaar-class minehunters were developed under an agreement between the navies of Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. A total of 35 vessels were built for the three fleets.
The Alkmaar-class (also known as Tripartite-class) mine countermeasure vessels have the following specifications:
- Hull length and displacement 51 meters, 605 tons
- Max speed and mobility up to 15 knots, 3,000 miles at 12 knots
- Crew 55 personnel
- Armament and equipment 20mm F2 autocannon, two pairs of 12.7mm and 7.62 machine guns, a sonar for searching mines, and two ECA PAP 104 underwater drones to eliminate the mines.
Since 2003, the Dutch Alkmaar-class minehunters have undergone modernization, receiving upgraded electronics, including the Atlas Elektronik INCMS combat data system, mine identification and disposal systems Atlas Seafox, and the Double Eagle Mk III Mod 1 ROV.
Defense Express adds that the first report about a possible transfer of minehunters from the Netherlands to the Ukrainian Navy appeared in March 2023, and at that time, a plan was outlined to receive three ships by 2025. In March 2024, a message appeared regarding Belgium's intention to also transfer one minehunter, which was described as "the third ship of this class in cooperation with the Netherlands."
This veiled wording may indicate that in the end, the Belgian and Dutch sides jointly decided to allocate three mine countermeasure vessels of the same class to the Ukrainian fleet. In the Belgian fleet, these minehunters are designated as Tripartite, while in the Dutch fleet they are referred to as Alkmaar.
Read more: Netherlands Sends Patriot Air Defense Systems to Shield Ukraine's Main Support Hub in Poland
