After around 500 hours of successful trials, the Royal Netherlands Navy has officially commissioned the new Alunaut. This small craft replaces the ageing Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) 700.
In cooperation with the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Ministry of Defence purchased twenty new Alunauts. Of these, twelve are for the dutch navy, six for the Royal Marechaussee for maritime border surveillance, and two for the Belgian navy.
Like the RHIB 700, the Royal Netherlands Navy uses the Alunaut either independently or as a support craft. The boats are mainly deployed for transporting equipment and personnel. The Marechaussee uses them to board and inspect other ships, as well as for patrol duties.
The Estonian company Alunaut OÜ is supplying the vessels. The Marechaussee will also receive six new trailers, allowing rapid transport of the boats by land.
Also read: Dutch navy gets new fleet, but will have to wait for it
Part of fleet renewal
For the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Alunaut is part of the fleet renewal programme. Though the Alunaut project is only a small element within the broader effort, the procurement of this type of craft still contributes to the navy’s endurance — and thus to its vital state of military readiness.
Picture (top): Alunaut on the water (photo by the Dutch Ministry of Defence).
Also read: Harold Liebregs takes the helm at Royal Netherlands Navy
