Ukrainian crews to receive training on Dutch minehunters

HNLMS Makkum, one of six remaining Alkmaar (Tripartite)-class minehunters in the Royal Netherlands Navy service. (Michael Nitz – Naval Press Service)

The Netherlands is gearing up to start training Ukrainian crews to operate the Dutch navy’s Alkmaar (Tripartite)-class minehunters in the coming weeks.

Speaking at the third summit of the International Crimea Platform in Kyiv held from 12 to 23 August, Dutch Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren confirmed that training on the Alkmaar-class minehunters would start in September. Training would be conducted with assistance from Belgium and other allies, she added.

In March the Netherlands announced plans to donate two Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) Alkmaar-class minehunters as part of a military aid package that also included drone-detection radar systems and an M3 amphibious bridge-building and ferry system.