rMCM mine warfare program update with Naval Group

Update on the Belgian-Dutch rMCM program with Aymeric Moullart de Torcy, unmanned systems marketing director at Naval Group, during the Euronaval 2024 press trip. The rMCM program calls for the replacement of the mine warfare capability in both Belgium and the Netherlands.

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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.

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[ZekeAR]

Bonjour Xavier, t'as des nouvelles sur l'achat de Scorpene par l'argentine? Normalement de mois-ci c'était prévu la signature d'un lettre d'intention d'achat pour 3 Scorpene (+ une intention d'achat de 2 frégates). Actuallement la marine argentine entame une forte récupération pour faire face a ses nouveaux engagements (l'intégration a la CMF et la Global Partner de l'OTAN).

[ayo-vp]

If only Canada could convert its Harry De Wolf class into this type of MCM vessel so they can multitask as Arctic opvs and replacements for the Kingston Class

[christophfenske]

Funny that Aymeric says, that the Belgium and Dutch Navy are „the reference for mine counter measure“ warfare. Well that might be pretty true for the Dutch, but rumor has it that the NL Navy is not at all happy with what they will get… stand-off sounds too good, but is not safe at all…