Belgian minehunter Oostende

Last updated
M940 Oostende.jpg
Oostende a few days after the beginning of her sea trials
History
Naval Ensign of Belgium.svg Belgium
NameOostende
NamesakeCity of Oostende
BuilderPiriou, Concarneau, France
Laid down30 November 2021 [1] [2]
Launched29 March 2023 [3]
Commissioned6 November 2025
Identification Pennant number: M940
StatusIn service
General characteristics
Class & type City-class mine countermeasures vessel
Displacement2,800  t (2,800 long tons) full load
Length82.30 m (270 ft 0 in)
Beam17 m (55 ft 9 in)
Draught3.80 m (12 ft 6 in)
Speed15.3 knots (28.3 km/h; 17.6 mph)
Complement33–63
Armament

Oostende (M940) is the first ship in the City-class mine countermeasures vessels. She was constructed in France for the Belgian Navy.

History

Oostende (Ostend) is the result of a joint procurement programme for the replacements of the Tripartite- / Alkmaar-class minehunters for the Belgian- and Dutch navies. [4]

She is the first in class followed by HNLMS Vlissingen which will be the first for the Royal Netherlands Navy. She was laid down at Piriou, Concarneau, France on 30 November 2021. [1] [2] On 19 December 2022, she got out of the construction hangar and work on masts, paintings and furniture began. She is planned to be commissioned in December 2024. [5]

The technical launch took place in late February 2023, with the official launch a month later on 29 March. [3] [6] Sea trials started on 17 July 2024 in Concarneau. [7] She was commissioned on 6 November 2025. [8]

References

  1. 1 2 "Eerste kiel nieuwe mijnenbestrijdingsvaartuigen voor Nederland en België gelegd" (in Dutch). Marineschepen. 2021-11-30. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  2. 1 2 "Video: Naval Group Lays Keel Of 1st MCM Mothership For Belgium". Naval News. 2021-12-05. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  3. 1 2 "Tewaterlating nieuw Belgisch mijnenbestrijdingsvaartuig in Frankrijk, bouw volgend Nederlands schip in Roemenië" (in Dutch). Marineschepen. 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  4. ↑ "Naval Group team selected for BE/NL MCM programme". Jane. Retrieved 2022-12-08.
  5. ↑ Vincent Groizeleau (2023-01-04). "Concarneau : le nouveau chasseur de mines belge est sorti du hall de construction de Piriou" (in French).
  6. ↑ "Erster neuer Minenjäger für Belgien schwimmt". 30 March 2023.
  7. ↑ "Concarneau: Le chasseur de mines belge Oostende débute ses essais mer | Mer et Marine". 18 July 2024.
  8. ↑ Nws, Vrt (2025-11-08). "New generation mine hunter Oostende operational at Zeebrugge (VIDEO)". VRTNWS. Retrieved 2025-11-13.


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