The Belgian “BNS Narcis” and the Dutch “Zr.Ms. Vlaardingen” were officially handed over to the Ukraine. (-> current news from the Ukraine war) The handover of the minehunters took place at the Belgian naval base in Zeebrugge.
The “Zr.Ms. Vlaardingen” will henceforth bear the name of the Ukrainian city of Melitopol, which is currently occupied by Russia. This will be followed at the end of 2025 by the handover of the “Zr.Ms. Makkum”, which will then be called “Henichesk” – named after another Ukrainian city occupied by Russia.
The handover is the result of trilateral cooperation between Ukraine, Belgium and the Netherlands. Even before the official handover, Ukrainian crews had already undergone an intensive training program – supported by Belgian and Dutch specialists.
“The major ports such as Odessa and the shipping routes in the Black Sea are the lifeline of the Ukrainian economy,” said Dutch Defense Minister Brekelmans. “These are under permanent threat. Even though Ukraine may not be able to win the naval war, it must not lose it there. This is precisely why it is so crucial that Ukraine can defend its maritime security and freedom of passage with modern minehunting equipment.”
