Three Dutch and four Belgian mine countermeasure vessels are to be transferred to the Bulgarian Navy, along with a simulator and spare parts. The Dutch vessels are of the Alkmaar-class and will be handed over in 2027 and 2028 to the country in south-eastern Europe.
Dutch State Secretary of Defence Gijs Tuinman informed Parliament of this on 15 September. He describes the delivery as ‘a significant contribution to security in the Black Sea’. He stresses that it is in the interests of Bulgaria, as well as of the Netherlands and its allies, that the vessels enter service there, given the current worrying developments on NATO’s eastern flank.
Bulgaria already operates two Dutch Alkmaar-class minehunters and has the necessary expertise in-house. The transfer is a sale without financial proceeds and is conditional on Bulgaria eventually assuming responsibility for the further training and support of Ukrainian crews for the minehunters already pledged to Ukraine.
Also read: First Belgian and Dutch minehunter donated to Ukraine
New mine countermeasure vessels
The Belgian Royal Navy and the Royal Netherlands Navy will each receive six new mine countermeasure vessels of the Vlissingen-class (in Belgium known as the City-class) in the coming years. The first ship for Belgium is close to completion and is expected to be delivered in October. The first ship for the Dutch navy is expected to become operational later this year.
The timeline for the proposed transfer of vessels to Bulgaria is aligned with the influx of the new mine countermeasure capabilities.
SWZ|Maritime’s September 2025 issue is a navy special. The new mine countermeasure vessels are extensively discussed in this edition. Curious? Become a subscriber today.
Picture: HNLMS Zierikzee is one of the minehunters of the Alkmaar-class (photo by the Dutch Ministry of Defence).
Also read: Fourth Mine Countermeasure Vessel launched, steel cut for number eight
