The Netherlands has withdrawn from its fleet a minesweeper that will join the Ukrainian Navy
27.11.2024 - 15:12
The Royal Netherlands Navy has officially decommissioned the Alkmaar-class minesweeper Makkum (M857).
After maintenance, the ship will be transferred to the Ukrainian Navy. This was reported by the Dutch Ministry of Defense.
Makkum has completed almost 40 years of service in the Dutch Navy. During this time, the ship participated in numerous international exercises and neutralized a significant number of explosive objects, including more than 120 in the North Sea.
Earlier, the Netherlands decided to transfer two ships of this type to Ukraine – Makkum (M857) and the Vlaardingen (M863), a similar type. The latter was decommissioned on March 27, 2024.
The ships will be transferred after the completion of maintenance and training of Ukrainian crews, which began in the second half of 2023. The minesweepers are expected to be handed over in 2025.
Former commanders of Makkum received symbolic plaques with the letters that make up the minesweeper’s name, as well as commemorative coins.
In the Royal Netherlands Navy, Alkmaar-class ships, including Makkum, will be gradually replaced by new Vlissingen-class vessels developed under the rMCM program. The Netherlands plans to build six such ships by 2030. The lead ship of the series, Vlissingen (M840), is scheduled to be commissioned in late 2025.
USM previously reported that the Netherlands will allocate 400 million euros for naval and other drones for Ukraine.
