Dutch Alkmaar-class vessel to boost Ukraine’s mine countermeasures

Ukraine is set to add the Alkmaar-class minehunter HNLMS Makkum to its naval fleet after receiving the vessel from the Netherlands.  

The ship, which will be renamed ‘Henichesk’, honours a previous Ukrainian minehunter lost in combat operations near the Kinburn Spit in 2022. 

Ukrainian service personnel are currently training aboard the vessel as preparations continue for ‘Henichesk’.  

The Alkmaar-class minehunters are designed to detect and clear sea mines, which is achieved through hull-mounted sonar and uncrewed underwater vehicles.  

In conditions where traditional sonar faces challenges, remotely operated vehicles and variable-depth sonar supplement detection and identification tasks.  

Mine neutralisation capabilities in the vessels include systems like SeaFox, which can deliver explosives to destroy mines once confirmed as threats.  

In addition, the hulls of Alkmaar-class minehunters are constructed from polyester-based fibreglass, a non-magnetic material that reduces the likelihood of setting off mines with magnetic fuses.  

Divers remain available for ordnance disposal when required. For self-defence, the ship also carries light weapons like heavy machine guns. 

In addition to mine countermeasures, these ships can support amphibious operations by clearing coastal areas and locating sunken vessels or other hazards that could obstruct navigation.  

Each ship accommodates a crew of up to 38 personnel, with a displacement of 543 tonnes and a length of 51.5 metres.  

Powered by a diesel engine, the vessel can reach speeds of up to 13 knots, while specialised thrusters enhance manoeuvrability during mine-clearing missions. 

The addition of ‘Henichesk’ will bring Ukraine’s fleet of mine countermeasure vessels to five, following earlier donations from the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands.  

All five ships, two Sandown class and three Alkmaar class will remain based in the UK for the duration of the war.

Ukraine will not be able to transfer the vessel to the Black Sea until the conflict concludes as the Montreux Convention, enforced by Turkey since the 2022 invasion, restricts the passage of naval military assets through the Dardanelles and Bosphorus straits for warring countries. 

Following the war, Ukrainian authorities plan to deploy these ships in large-scale demining operations to enhance naval safety and strengthen the country’s maritime security infrastructure. 

The vessel is expected to participate in the 2027 edition of Sea Breeze exercise, which brought together Black Sea nations, Nato allies and partners together to train and operate with Nato members, building increased capabilities.