The Netherlands has handed over the first Alkmaar-class mine countermeasures vessel to Ukraine

The Netherlands has transferred an Alkmaar-class mine countermeasures vessel to Ukraine. By the end of 2025, the country is expected to transfer another one.

This was reported by the Commander of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksiy Neyizhpapa, 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 transfer of another one. Crew training is already underway,» Neyizhpapa noted.

He reported that on October 12, he met with a Dutch delegation led by the Netherlands’ Minister of Defence, Ruben Brekelmans, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Dutch Armed Forces, General Onno Eichelsheim.

Neyizhpapa stated that during the meeting, they discussed the security situation in the Black Sea region and prospects for further cooperation.

The Commander of the Ukrainian Naval Forces also thanked the Netherlands for their efforts and cooperation within the framework of the Ukraine Maritime Capabilities Coalition.

Alkmaar-class mine countermeasures vessels were developed based on an agreement between the navies of Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. A total of 35 vessels were built for the three fleets.

Starting in 2003, the Dutch Alkmaar-class minehunters were upgraded with improved electronics, including the Atlas Elektronik INCMS combat data system, the Atlas Seafox mine identification and disposal system, and the Double Eagle Mk III Mod 1 ROV.

In 2023, the then Minister of Defence of Ukraine, Oleksiy Reznikov, stated that the Netherlands would transfer two minehunters to Ukraine.

Commenting on the delivery timeline, Reznikov noted that the time required for crew training and the fact that during wartime, the Montreux Convention prohibits the passage of military ships through the Bosporus Strait must be taken into account.

«2024−2025 is a realistic timeframe. Perhaps it will happen sooner — our military has proven that they can master any system faster,» Reznikov stated.

On October 7, the press service of the Estonian company Milrem Robotics reported that it would supply Ukraine with over 150 THeMIS ground platforms as part of a project funded and coordinated by the Netherlands.