Ukrainian crew completes training onboard Dutch MCM vessel

An archive photo of the Alkmaar (Tripartite)-class MCM vessel Makkum, which was decommissioned at the end of November 2024. The vessel is being donated to Ukraine alongside sister ship Vlaardingen, which was retired from service in March. (Dutch MoD)

The future Ukrainian Navy crew of the ex-Dutch navy Alkmaar (Tripartite)-class mine countermeasures (MCM) vessel Vlaardingen (M 863) has completed its training programme to operate the vessel.

Announcing the milestone on 3 December, the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) said a total of 35 Ukrainian sailors completed the two-month training programme, which was conducted onboard sister ship Makkum (M 857) ahead of its decommissioning on 24 November.

Training was carried out by the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) with assistance from NATO allies, which provided instructors and interpreters, the MoD said. Concurrently, technical personnel are undergoing training at the Belgian Navy Academy.

Makkum's retirement from RNLN service on 24 November follows the decommissioning of Vlaardingen in March. The two Alkmaar-class MCM vessels are being donated to Ukraine as part of a military aid package announced by the Dutch MoD in March 2023 that also included drone-detection radar systems and an M3 amphibious bridge-building and ferry system.

The two vessels are intended to help clear the Black Sea of mines laid during the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine once the war has ended. They will operate alongside two former UK Royal Navy (RN) Sandown-class minehunters, Chernihiv (ex-HMS Grimsby) and Cherkasy (ex-HMS Shoreham