Mariupol and Melitopol Minesweepers Make Their Debut at Sea Breeze Exercises

The new Ukrainian minesweepers Mariupol and Melitopol have joined the second part of the Sea Breeze 2025 international exercises in the United Kingdom.

This was reported on the Ukrainian Navy’s official website.

On June 30, the second part of the Sea Breeze 2025 international multinational exercises with the participation of the Ukrainian Navy was inaugurated in the port of Portland. The primary focus of the maritime component is traditionally on mine action.

Four Ukrainian mine countermeasures ships took to the sea: the recently commissioned Mariupol and Melitopol, as well as the Chernihiv and Cherkasy, which were transferred by the UK in 2023. Foreign ships from the NATO Standing Mine Countermeasures Group also joined the exercise.

The purpose of the exercise is to train units in conditions close to real life to ensure full integration into multinational operations. The focus will be on assessing the interoperability of Ukrainian units with the requirements and standards of partner countries.

Mariupol and Melitopol

The Mariupol and Melitopol minesweepers were transferred to Ukraine on June 27, 2025, by Belgium and the Netherlands. These are the former Belgian Narcis and Dutch Vlaardingen of the Alkmaar (Tripartite) project.

The Alkmaar (Tripartite) is a class of minesweepers developed jointly in the interests of Belgium, France, and the Netherlands based on the French Circé type ships.

The crew consists of four officers, fifteen NCOs, and seventeen privates. Since 2003, the minesweepers have undergone modernization, with advanced electronics, including the Atlas Elektronik INCMS combat data system. A Thales 2022 Mk III sonar, Atlas Seafox, and Double Eagle Mk III Mod 1 ROV mine detection and clearance systems were also installed.