Belgium and the Netherlands to give seven Tripartite minehunters to Bulgaria

The Netherlands Tripartite-class minehunter, HNLMS Zierikzee , one of those due to be sent to Bulgaria. (Netherlands MoD)

Belgium agreed to give four of its Tripartite-class minehunters, and the Netherlands three, to Bulgaria as part of efforts to support mine-countermeasures (MCM) efforts in the Black Sea, Belgiumʼs Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 12 September.

Belgiumʼs MoD said it would hand over the four vessels free of charge, but that Bulgaria would bear the costs of restoring them to full operational capability. This work would have to be done as far as possible mainly through Belgian firms, the MoD added. The transfer will include spare parts and a tactical simulator.

The Netherlands MoD said on 15 September that its three Tripartite-class vessels (called the Alkmaar-class in the Netherlands and Belgium) would be sent in 2027 and 2028. The MoD said further administrative and technical discussions between the three parties would be initiated with a view to concluding a trilateral memorandum of understanding (MOU).

In June Belgium and the Netherlands donated two Tripartite-class vessels to Ukraine. The crews of UNS Mariupol (ex-Belgian ship BNS Narcis ) and UNS Melitopol (ex-Dutch ship HNLMS Vlaardingen ) are currently undergoing training provided by the UK Royal Navy. A third Tripartite-class vessel, ex-Dutch ship HNLMS Makkum , is expected before the end of 2025. The Belgian MoD said Bulgaria would help train Ukrainian crews and share knowledge for Tripartite-class operation.

Belgium and the Netherlands are both replacing their Tripartite-class vessels under their joint replacement mine-countermeasures (rMCM) programme. It is expected that the first of six vessels, each under the programme, will be received later in 2025.

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