The Netherlands will transfer to Ukraine two Alkmaar-class minehunters for mine disposal and the coast guard of Ukrainian waters.

This was announced by Kajsa Ollongren, the Dutch Defense Minister, during a briefing in Odessa.

Ukraine is expected to receive ships transferred by the Netherlands in 2025.

In addition, the Netherlands and Belgium will train Ukrainian sailors for the operation of these ships.

“We understand the strategic and economic importance of harbors in Odesa in order to import food in order to trade and this, of course, has a connection with the rest of the world. The Netherlands provides two Alkmaar-class minehunters and we will start preparing Ukrainian units so that they know how to use these ships,” Ollongren said.

Alkmaar-class minehunter

Alkmaar is a class of mine minehunters developed jointly in the interests of Belgium, France, and the Netherlands based on French Circé-type minesweepers. A total of 35 ships were built for the three fleets in the 1980s and 1990s.

All three countries built their own hulls, while each was responsible for different aspects of the vessels. France provided mine hunting and electronic systems, the Netherlands provided main propulsion systems, and Belgium supplied the mine hunting propulsion system and the electrical generating systems.

In the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Alkmaar-class minehunters were originally designed similar to the Belgian and French versions, with a standard displacement of 520 tons, but later the displacement increased to 571 tons, and then to 630 tons.

For the Dutch minehunters, the initially planned 20mm guns were dismantled, leaving only three 12.7mm machine guns.

The ship’s crew includes 4 officers, 15 enlisted officers and 17 sailors.

Beginning in 2003, mine minehunters were upgraded with advanced electronics, including the Atlas Elektronik INCMS Naval Tactical Data System. Thales 2022 Mk III sonar and Atlas Seafox and Double Eagle Mk III Mod 1 ROV mine identification and disposal systems were also installed.