The Royal Netherlands Navy has officially retired the Makkum (M857), a minesweeper from the Alkmaar class, which will soon join the Ukrainian Navy.
The Makkum served for nearly 40 years, taking part in training missions and clearing over 120 explosive devices, including in the North Sea. Earlier, the Netherlands announced plans to send two Alkmaar-class minesweepers, Makkum and Vlaardingen (M863), to Ukraine.
The Vlaardingen was retired in March 2024.
According to the Dutch Ministry of Defense, before the ships are delivered, they will undergo technical maintenance to prepare them for service. Ukrainian crews, who started training in late 2023, will take over the ships after the transfer, which is expected in 2025.
The retirement of these ships is part of the Netherlands’ plan to modernize its navy.
By 2030, the Alkmaar-class minesweepers will be replaced by six new Vlissingen-class vessels, developed through the European rMCM (replacement Mine Countermeasure Vessel) program. The first of these new ships, Vlissingen (M840), is expected to enter service by late 2025.
About the Alkmaar-Class Minesweepers
The Alkmaar class was designed in partnership with Belgium, France, and the Netherlands, based on the French Circé design. These ships were built in the 1980s and 1990s, with each country contributing:
France: Mine-countermeasure systems and electronics.
Netherlands: Propulsion systems.
Belgium: Electrical power systems.
The ships, originally 520 tons, were later upgraded to 630 tons. Dutch versions no longer carry 20mm guns, using three 12.7mm machine guns instead.
These ships are equipped with advanced technology, including sonar and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) for mine detection and disposal.
They can also transport cargo and ammunition when needed.
