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The Belgian-Dutch rMCM programme has entered a new phase following the delivery of its first Mine Counter-Measures (MCM) toolbox in Zeebrugge.
The first MCM toolbox was delivered by Belgium Naval & Robotics, the consortium formed by Naval Group and Exail, with Exail responsible for the system’s design and production. The delivery marks the start of system integration and commissioning aboard the vessel and follows the handover of Oostende, the first ship in the series, in November 2025.
The delivered systems form the core of the vessels’ stand-off mine warfare capability, enabling the remote detection, classification, identification, and neutralisation of naval mines while keeping the mother ship at a safe distance.
The toolbox includes a comprehensive suite of surface, underwater, and aerial unmanned systems together with associated mission management solutions. With the exception of the aerial drones, all unmanned assets were produced and assembled at Exail’s facility in Ostend, supporting the programme’s industrial cooperation commitments.
The technical configuration includes the UMISOFT mission management system, two Inspector 125 surface drones, three A-18 Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) equipped with UMISAS 120 sonar, and two mine identification and destruction systems consisting of Seascan and K-Ster C. Aerial capability is provided by two Saab Skeldar V200 drones. Additional capabilities planned for delivery in 2026 include two T-18 towed sonars equipped with UMISAS 240 sonar and an Exail influence dredger incorporating five CTM magnetic modules and one PATRIA acoustic module.
Jérôme Bendell, Director of the Exail Maritime Systems Business Line, commented, “We are proud to deliver this toolbox to the Belgian Navy and the Royal Netherlands Navy, and even prouder to be the first in the world to bring such a fully robotic mine warfare capability. This programme positions the consortium at the forefront of modern mine countermeasures, contributing to the evolution of operational standards in this field. Beyond delivery, we are now entering a decisive phase: accompanying the Navies in taking full ownership of this unique capability. Together, we are shaping the future standards of mine warfare within NATO and strengthening European strategic autonomy.”
Marie Aline Widenlocher, rMCM Programme Director, added, “The solution we develop together with Exail is a very innovative solution in the mine countermeasure domain, and we are very honored to contribute to the Belgian and the Dutch Navy capability in this field.”
Following delivery in Zeebrugge, the toolbox will undergo integration activities to support preparation of the Oostende for its operational qualification phases.
Belgium Naval & Robotics will continue supporting the Belgian Navy and the Royal Netherlands Navy through operator and maintainer training, onboard integration support, assistance during harbour and sea trials, delivery of subsequent toolboxes, and industrial maintenance of the drones at Exail’s Ostend facility.
Brigadier General Frédéric Dupuis, Head of the Procurement Division (DGMR), stated, “The delivery of this first MCM toolbox is a crucial step for the rMCM programme. For the procurement division, it represents not only the achievement of a contractual milestone but, above all, the delivery of a new capability on which both Navies can rely. This progress confirms that our structured and closely monitored approach, with strong industrial participation and production in Ostend, is delivering tangible results. With this foundational capability in place, we now move forward with integration and qualification while strengthening the European defence industrial base.”
