Belgium Naval and Robotics receives minehunter contract
The Belgium Naval and Robotics consortium has received a contract to supply 12 mine-hunting vessels to the Belgian and Dutch navies, ECA Group announced on 22 May.
The consortium is composed of Naval Group and ECA Group.
Equipped with unmanned system toolboxes, six ships are destined for the Belgian Navy, while the other six will be delivered to the the Royal Netherlands Navy.
The contract is worth nearly €2 billion over ten years. Following a three-year design phase, the consortium will launch the production phase of the ships and USV systems with a first delivery expected in 2024.
The 2800t vessels will carry a mine-warfare mission system toolbox integrated into the ship's combat system. Each toolbox will include ECA Group's Inspector 125 USV which will act as a remote operational vessel for A18-M AUV, T18-M towed sonars and Mine Identification and Destruction Systems composed of Seascan and K-Ster CROVs. UAS and dredgers will also form part of the toolbox.
The USV systems will be integrated into a C2 MCM Umisoft system connected to the Naval Group's I4 Drone USV mission system within the ship's combat system.
The programme also covers the supply of UAS that can also be projected. Containerised and equipped with handling and communication systems, the mine-hunting UAS will be capable of being airlifted and deployed directly from the coast without a ship.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![How bad management could put the US Navy’s cruiser fleet far behind Chinese capabilities]()
How bad management could put the US Navy’s cruiser fleet far behind Chinese capabilities
While China has been rapidly advancing with the development of the Type 055 class, the US Navy has been struggling to progress with the modernisation of its cruiser fleet.
-
![Fincantieri joins roster of major companies working to protect undersea cables]()
Fincantieri joins roster of major companies working to protect undersea cables
The group’s collaboration with network provider Sparkle is the latest move to improve the robustness of submarine cable networks.
-
![US Coast Guard acquires icebreaker, and gets approval for Polar cutter]()
US Coast Guard acquires icebreaker, and gets approval for Polar cutter
The investment will help the US move towards its prescribed Arctic requirement.
-
![Saab signs modernisation deal for Sweden’s coastal anti-ship missile capability]()
Saab signs modernisation deal for Sweden’s coastal anti-ship missile capability
Sweden’s Baltic coastal defence will be upgraded with new missile options.
-
![Pakistan Navy takes second OPV 2600 vessel from Damen]()
Pakistan Navy takes second OPV 2600 vessel from Damen
The PNS Yamama completes the class of maritime security vessels.
