Belgian minehunter Narcis has been spotted in London ahead of its transfer to Ukraine.
The vessel was snapped after its pennant numbers were removed, a step reminiscent of the recent conversion of British minehunters into the Ukrainian vessels Cherkasy and Chernihiv.
IMAGE PROVIDED BY SA_DEFENSA.
Narcis, a Tripartite-class minehunter, has been in service with the Belgian Naval Component since its launch in 1990 at the Mercantile-Belyard shipyard in Rupelmonde. Christened by Mrs. Lafosse-De Backer, the ship has served Belgium in various capacities, including its deployment to enforce the Libyan no-fly zone.
In the context of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, the Belgian government announced in 2024 that Narcis would be donated to Ukraine. This decision is part of a larger package of military assistance, which also includes the donation of two additional Tripartite-class minehunters. The Belgian Council of Ministers approved this initiative on March 15, 2024, emphasizing Belgium’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s naval capabilities.
Before its transfer, Narcis will undergo comprehensive maintenance to ensure it is fully operational. This is crucial for its role in the Ukrainian Navy, which will rely on the minehunter for its advanced mine detection and neutralization capabilities.
The vessel is equipped with the Atlas Seafox and Saab Double Eagle Mk.II autonomous unmanned vehicles, as well as the Atlas Elektronik INCMS Naval Tactical Data System and Thales Underwater Systems TSM 2022 Mk III sonar.
Belgium will provide basic training for the Ukrainian crew on a similar class ship, while the Netherlands will handle the practical aspects of the training.
