View source for Belgian Navy

{{Short description|Naval warfare branch of the Belgian Armed Forces}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Navy Component
| native_name                   = {{ubl|{{nativename|nl|nolink=y|Marinecomponent}}|{{nativename|fr|nolink=y|Composante marine}}|{{nativename|de|nolink=y|Marinekomponente}}}}
| image                         = Composante Marine.png
| start_date                    = 15 January 1831
| country                       = {{flag|Belgium}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = 
| type                          = [[Navy]]
| role                          = [[Maritime warfare]]
| size                          = 1,354 (2022)
| command_structure             = [[File:Coats of arms of Belgium Military Forces.svg|25px]] [[Belgian Armed Forces]]
| garrison                      = [[Zeebrugge]], [[Bruges]], [[Ostend]]
| garrison_label                = 
| nickname                      = 
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = 
| colors                        = 
| colors_label                  = 
| march                         = 
| mascot                        = 
| equipment                     = {{ubl|{{sclass|Karel Doorman|frigate|1}}|{{sclass2|Tripartite|minehunter|1}}}}
| equipment_label               = [[Ship class]]es
| battles                       = 
| anniversaries                 = 
| decorations                   = 
| battle_honours                = <!-- Commanders -->
| commander1                    = Divisional admiral [[Tanguy Botman]]
| commander1_label              = [[Commander of the Navy (Belgium)|Commander]]
| commander2                    = Vice admiral [[René Tas]]
| commander2_label              = [[Admiral Benelux]]
| notable_commanders            = <!-- Insignia -->
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Naval Ensign of Belgium.svg|border|150px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Naval ensign
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:Naval Jack of Belgium.svg|150px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = Naval jack
}}
The '''Belgian Navy''', officially the '''Naval Component''' ({{langx|nl|Marinecomponent}}, {{IPA|nl|maːˈriːnəkɔmpoːˌnɛnt|pron}}; {{langx|fr|Composante marine}}, {{IPA|fr|kɔ̃pozɑ̃t maʁin|pron}}; {{langx|de|Marinekomponente}}, {{IPA|de|maˈʁiːnəkɔmpoˌnɛntə|pron}}) of the [[Belgian Armed Forces]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mil.be/fr/la-defense-mod-chod|title=La Défense|access-date=2016-03-25|language=fr|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401171214/http://www.mil.be/fr/la-defense-mod-chod|archive-date=1 April 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mil.be/nl/defensie-mod-chod|title=Defensie|access-date=2016-03-25|language=nl|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320190716/http://www.mil.be/nl/defensie-mod-chod|archive-date=20 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/be-navycomp.htm|title=Belgium - Navy / Composante Maritime / Marinecomponent|first=John|last=Pike|website=globalsecurity.org|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205072514/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/be-navycomp.htm|archive-date=5 December 2017|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mc.nato.int/contact/national-support-elements.aspx |title=Allied Maritime Command - National Support Elements |access-date=2017-11-24 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031531/http://www.mc.nato.int/contact/national-support-elements.aspx |archive-date=1 December 2017 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> is the [[Navy|naval]] service of [[Belgium]].

== History ==
=== Early history ===
[[File:Canonnière Marine Royale.jpg|thumb|One of the first [[gunboat]]s of the ''Marine Royale'']]
[[File:Battle of Rio Nunez 1849.jpg|thumb|French and Belgian warships during the [[Rio Nuñez Incident]] in West Africa, 1849]] The Belgian Navy was created as the ''Marine Royale'' ({{langx|en|Royal Navy}}) on 15 January 1831.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Navy |url=https://www.klm-mra.be/D7t/en/content/navy-0 |website=Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History |access-date=25 May 2020}}</ref> This force has operated in various forms throughout Belgian history.

When the country became independent after the [[Belgian Revolution]] of 1830, a Dutch squadron blocked the [[Scheldt]] [[estuary]]. To deal with this threat the Belgian Congress ordered two [[brigantine]]s to be built, which bore the names ''Congrès'' and ''Les Quatre Journées''. After the French Army, led by [[Marshal of France|Marshal]] [[Count]] [[Étienne Maurice Gérard|Gérard]], captured the citadel of [[Antwerp]] in 1832, the captured Dutch gun boats were pressed into Belgian service. In 1840 the Belgian government bought the [[schooner]] ''Louise Marie'' and in 1845 the [[brig]] ''Duc de Brabant''. ''Louise Marie'' participated in the [[Rio Nuñez Incident]] in 1849. In 1862, the Belgian government discarded its navy and pursued a minimalistic naval policy.

=== Disbandment ===
In April 1862 the existing royal navy was disbanded as an economy measure. The navy's personnel were transferred to a "state navy force" manning small vessels and employed in non-military functions such as the provision of ferry services, inspection of incoming vessels and charting research. The need for a proper naval service to provide coastal and port defence was raised periodically but did not progress beyond the retention as a reserve of four lightly armed gunboats, moored in the [[Port of Antwerp]] and crewed by members of the [[Belgian Army]]'s Engineering Corps.<ref>{{cite book|first=Dr Pierre|last=Lierneux|pages=502–503|title=The Belgian Army in the Great War|year=2015 |isbn=978-3-902526-75-5}}</ref>

=== World War I ===
At the outbreak of [[World War I]], Belgium had no navy (an impromptu force was assembled at the [[Battle for Lake Tanganyika]]) but the war caused this policy to change and a ''Corps of Destroyers and Sailors'' was created in 1917. The Belgian naval personnel served onboard French minesweepers and provided the artillerymen for Belgian merchant ships. The [[Treaty of Versailles]] allocated Belgium 11 torpedo boats and 26 minesweepers. For budgetary reasons, Belgium again abolished its navy in 1927.

=== World War II ===
In 1939, against the looming threat of a new war with Germany, Belgium once again resurrected its navy as the ''Naval Corps''. This new navy, consisting mostly of small patrol vessels and coastal artillery units, lasted barely a year until the German invasion of May 1940. During the [[Battle of Belgium|18 days campaign]], the trawler [[Belgian ship A4|A4]] evacuated much of the government's gold reserve to Britain, while several others helped at the [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] [[Dunkirk evacuation|evacuation at Dunkirk]].<ref name=KLMMRA1>{{cite web|title=Dunkerque|publisher=[[KLM-MRA]] Séction Marine|url=http://www.marine-mra-klm.be/dunkerque_044.htm|access-date=28 September 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002172300/http://www.marine-mra-klm.be/dunkerque_044.htm|archive-date=2 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

During [[World War II]] many members of the Naval Corps, together with Belgian fishermen and merchant sailors, escaped to Britain with the explicit wish of fighting the German occupiers. The [[Royal Navy]] took advantage of this opportunity to enlist the Belgians into separate groups of more or less entirely Belgian-crewed ships. From 1940 to 1946, the Belgian Section of the British Royal Navy crewed two corvettes, ([[HMS Buttercup (K193)|''Buttercup'']] and {{HMS|Godetia|K226|2}}), a squadron of [[MMS-class minesweeper|MMS minesweepers]] and three patrol boats ({{Interlanguage link|HMS Phrontis (FD142)|fr|3=HMS Phrontis (FD142)|lt=''Phrontis''}}, ''Electra'' and ''Kernot''). In 1946, Britain donated the ships to Belgium. These vessels became the backbone of the new Belgian Navy.

=== Cold War ===
[[File:NATO Standing Naval Force Atlantic ships underway, in 1981.jpg|thumb|{{ship|Belgian frigate|Westhinder|F913|2}} (second from the top) with NATO [[Standing Naval Force Atlantic]] in 1981]]
[[File:Wielingen (F910) 2003.jpg|thumb|''Wielingen''-class frigates in 2003]]
The Belgian Navy was expanded in the late 1940s and the 1950s with the transfer of former U.S., British, and Commonwealth warships. After Belgium became a member of NATO, the role of the Belgian Navy was to help secure the [[North Sea]], the [[English Channel]], and the [[Western Approaches]] in cooperation with other navies in northwestern Europe. The first major surface ships that Belgium received were six {{sclass|Algerine|minesweeper|1}}s from the United Kingdom. They also received the {{sclass|Agile|minesweeper|5}} and {{sclass|Adjutant|minesweeper|5}} minesweepers from the United States. Later developments occurred in the 1970s, when the natively designed Belgian {{sclass|Wielingen|frigate|1}}s were built, and in the 1980s when Belgium, France, and the Netherlands launched the {{sclass|Tripartite|minehunter|1}}s.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last=Gardiner |editor-first=Robert |editor-last2=Chumbley |editor-first2=Stephen |name-list-style=amp |year=1995 |title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947-1995 |publisher=Conway Maritime Press |location=London |isbn=1-55750-132-7 |pages=24–28 }}</ref>

=== Post-Cold War ===
In the beginning of the nineties, the end of the [[Cold War]] caused the Belgian government to restructure the Belgian Armed Forces in order to cope with the changed threats. This led to a reduction in the size of the Armed Forces. With regards to the Belgian navy, these cutbacks meant that one {{sclass|Wielingen|frigate|1}} was taken out of service and that three {{sclass2|Tripartite|minehunter|1}}s were sold to France. In 2002, the government decided to impose a "single structure" on the armed forces in which the independent Belgian ''Marine Royale'' ceased to exist. The former Navy became the Belgian Naval Component ('''COMOPSNAV''') of the Armed Forces; it is also generally referred to as ''the Belgian Navy''.

On 20 July 2005, the Belgian government decided to buy two of the remaining six Dutch [[Karel Doorman-class frigate|M-class]] frigates to replace the two remaining frigates of the ''Wielingen'' class  (''Wielingen'' and ''Westdiep'') at the time still in service with the Belgian Navy, which in turn were sold to Bulgaria. On 21 December 2005, the Dutch government sold ''Karel Doorman'' (F827) and ''Willem Van Der Zaan'' (F829) to Belgium. The two ships were sold for about 250 million Euros. These two M-class frigates entered service with the Belgian Navy where they were renamed ''Leopold I'' and ''Louise-Marie''. In October 2005, the ''Wielingen''-class frigate ''Wandelaar'' was officially handed over to the [[Bulgarian Navy]], which christened the ship as ''Drăzki'' ('The Bolds'). The remaining ships of the class were transferred to Bulgaria as well, after completing modernization in Belgium. A Tripartite-class minehunter, ''Myosotis'', which was renamed ''Tsibar'' was transferred to Bulgaria soon after.

The current Commander of the Naval Component is [[Rear Admiral]] [[Jan De Beurme]] (since September 2020).

In February 2013 it was announced that Belgium had ordered two {{convert|52|m|ft|adj=on}} patrol vessels from the French shipyard SOCARENAM, to be delivered within two years. Both were received, P901 ''Castor'' in 2014 and P902 ''Pollux'' in early 2015. The two vessels are to remain in service until 2044–2045.<ref>{{cite web|title=Un chantier naval français construit les nouveaux patrouilleurs de la Marine|url=http://www.mil.be/def/news/index.asp?LAN=fr&ID=3694|work=5 February 2013|publisher=www.mil.be|access-date=7 February 2013|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407061432/http://www.mil.be/def/news/index.asp?LAN=fr|archive-date=7 April 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== Mission ==
[[File:F930 BNS Leopold I (30207186086).jpg|thumb|{{ship|Belgian frigate|Leopold I|F930|2}}, a [[Belgium|Belgian]] {{sclass|Karel Doorman|frigate|0}} [[frigate]]]]
In times of crisis and war the Belgian Naval Component will manage, with the support of its allies, the crises rising from the infringements to the principles of International law and from the Humans right and exercise the Belgian sovereignty in the maritime zones where the Naval Component is qualified, defend the underwater communication lines, main roads and allied, and protect the ports against any air, surface or underwater attack.

In times of peace the Belgian Naval Component has the following roles:
* To ensure the presence of Belgium at sea.
* To give a support for our diplomacy and our foreign trade.
* Technical and military collaboration with the allied countries.
* Participation in humane actions.
* Contribute to the nation in the maritime zones for which Belgium is responsible:
**Contribution to oceanographic search.
**Control of fishing
**Contribution to the control of pollution at sea.
**Participation in the plan of assistance in territorial waters
**Support for the customs and police operations
**Detection of wrecks of boats.
**Participation in rescues at sea.
**Contribution to the training of the commercial naval officers
**Control of territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone.
**If necessary, opening of the centre of hyperbare medicine to the population.
**Destruction of explosive devices at sea
*Preparation with the tasks to be carried out in times of crisis and war.
*Contribution to dissuasion at sea by the means of permanent allied squadrons.

== Organisation ==
{{Main|Structure of the Belgian Armed Forces#Naval Component}}

===Leadership===
{{main|Commander of the Navy (Belgium)}}

===Ranks===
{{main|Belgian military ranks}}

====Officer ranks====
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OF/Belgium}}
|}

====Other ranks====
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OR/Belgium}}
|}

== Fleet of ships ==

=== Active fleet of ships ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Class
!In service
!Origin
!Picture
!Type
!Builder
!Ship
![[Pennant number|No.]]
![[Ship commissioning|Comm.]]
!Displacement
!Notes
|-
! colspan="11" |Frigates (2)
|-
| rowspan="2" |'''{{sclass|Karel Doorman|frigate|4}}'''
''<small>M-class</small>''
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" |'''2'''
| rowspan="2" |{{flag|Netherlands}}
| rowspan="2" |[[File:F930 BNS Leopold I (30088617001).jpg|200x200px|Frameless]]
[[File:Joint Warrior 17-2 (36740990724).jpg|200x200px|Frameless]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Anti-submarine frigate|ASW Frigates]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding|<small>Schelde Naval Shipbuilding</small>]]
|[[Belgian frigate Leopold I (F930)|''<small>Leopold I</small>'']]
|<small>F930</small>
|<small>{{dts|29 March 2007|format=dmy|abbr=on}}</small> 
<small>(Belgium)</small>
<small>{{dts|31 May 1991|format=dmy|abbr=on}}</small>
<small>(Netherlands)</small>
| rowspan="2" |3,300 tonnes
| rowspan="2" |Second-hand purchase from the Dutch navy, replaced 2 remaining [[Wielingen-class frigate|''Wielingen'' class]]. modernised in 2012–15.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D-Mitch |title=Karel Doorman (M) class frigates of the Portuguese Navy, Chilean Navy, Royal Netherlands Navy and Belgian Navy |url=https://www.navalanalyses.com/2014/11/karel-doorman-m-class-frigates-of.html |access-date=2024-03-04}}</ref>
To be replaced with 2 (3) [[Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate (Koninklijke Marine)|Future Surface Combattant]] frigates around 2030. 
|-
|[[Belgian frigate Louise-Marie (F931)|''<small>Louise-Marie</small>'']]
|<small>F931</small>
|<small>{{dts|8 April 2008|format=dmy|abbr=on}}</small> 
<small>(Belgium)</small>
<small>{{dts|28 November 1991|format=dmy|abbr=on}}</small>
<small>(Netherlands)</small>
|-
! colspan="11" |Patrol vessels (2)
|-
| rowspan="3" |'''{{sclass|Castor|coastal patrol vessel|4}}'''
| rowspan="3" style="text-align: center;" |'''2'''
| rowspan="3" |{{FRA}}
| rowspan="3" |[[File:Castor - P901 (cropped).jpg|200x200px]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Patrol boat|Coastal patrol vessel]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Socarenam|<small>SOCARENAM</small>]]
<small>Sociéte Calaisienne de Réparation Navale et Mécanique</small>
|[[Belgian patrol vessel Castor (P901)|''<small>Castor</small>'']]
|<small>P901</small>
|<small>{{dts|10 July 2014|format=dmy|abbr=on}}</small>
| rowspan="3" |455 tonnes
| rowspan="3" |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-14 |title=DSEI 2023: Belgium Navy displays patrol vessel BNS Castor |url=https://navyrecognition.com/index.php/naval-news/naval-news-archive/2023/september/13567-dsei-2023-belgium-navy-displays-patrol-vessel-bns-castor.html |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=Navy Naval News Navy Recognition |language=en-gb}}</ref> A third one has been ordered in 2024.
|-
|[[Belgian patrol vessel Pollux|''<small>Pollux</small>'']]
|<small>P902</small>
|<small>{{dts|6 May 2015|abbr=on|format=dmy}}</small>
|-
|[[Belgian patrol vessel|''<small>Vega</small>'']]
|<small>P903</small>
|<small>Planned 2026</small>
|-
! colspan="11" |Mine warfare ships (5)
|-
| rowspan="5" |'''{{sclass|Tripartite|minehunter|4}}'''
| rowspan="5" style="text-align: center;" |'''5'''
| rowspan="5" |{{BEL}}{{NED}}{{FRA}}
| rowspan="5" |[[File:BNS_Bellis.jpg|200px|Frameless]]
| rowspan="5" |[[Minehunter]]s
| rowspan="5" |<small>Mercantile-Belyard Shipyard</small>
|[[Belgian minehunter Bellis (M916)|''<small>Bellis</small>'']]
|<small>M916</small>
|<small>{{dts|13 August 1986|format=dmy|abbr=on}}</small>
| rowspan="5" |536 tonnes
| rowspan="5" |6 City-class mine countermeasures vessel to replace this class from 2025.<ref name="Frans consortium mag nieuwe Belgische mijnenjagers bouwen">[https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2019/03/15/frans-consortium-mag-nieuwe-belgische-mijnenjagers-bouwen/ Frans consortium mag nieuwe Belgische mijnenjagers bouwen] {{in lang|nl}}</ref> 
|-
|[[Belgian minehunter Crocus (M917)|''<small>Crocus</small>'']]
|<small>M917</small>
|<small>{{dts|3 September 1986|format=dmy|abbr=on}}</small>
|-
|[[Belgian minehunter Lobelia (M921)|''<small>Lobelia</small>'']]
|<small>M921</small>
|<small>{{dts|3 Feb. 1988|format=dmy|abbr=on}}</small>
|-
| style="text-align: center;" |[[Belgian minehunter Primula (M924)|''<small>Primula</small>'']]
|<small>M924</small>
|<small>{{dts|20 Dec. 1990|format=dmy|abbr=on}}</small>
|}
Note: 1 {{sclass|Tripartite|minehunter|4}} ship to be (as of 2024) donated to Ukraine. Likely the [[Belgian minehunter Narcis|Narcis]], which will undergo full maintenance before being donated. Belgium providing basic training and the Netherlands offering on-the-job training for the crews.<ref name="300lynx3ships">{{Cite web |last=Administrator |date=2024-03-15 |title=Belgium Increases Military Aid to Ukraine with 300 Lynx Combat Vehicles & 3 Minehunter Ships {{!}} Defense News March 2024 Global Security army industry {{!}} Defense Security global news industry army year 2024 {{!}} Archive News year |url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_march_2024_global_security_army_industry/belgium_increases_military_aid_to_ukraine_with_300_lynx_combat_vehicles_3_minehunter_ships.html |access-date=2024-03-18 |website=Army Recognition |language=en-gb}}</ref>

=== Ships on order ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Class
!On order
!Origin
!Picture
!Type
!Builder
!Ship
![[Pennant number|No.]]
!Planned [[Ship commissioning|Comm.]]
!Status
!Displacement / length
!Notes
|-
! colspan="12" |Frigates (2,(3))
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate (Koninklijke Marine)|'''''ASWF'' class''']]
<small>"A''nti-Submarine Warfare Frigate"''</small>
| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" |'''2(3)’''
| rowspan="2(3)" |
{{flag|Netherlands}} <small></small>
| rowspan="2" |[[File:Anti-Submarine_Warfare_Frigate_(Koninklijke_Marine)_artist_view_(cropped).jpg|alt=|200x200px|''Santa Maria''-class frigate]]
<small>''Artist impression''</small>
| rowspan="2" |[[Anti-submarine frigate]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Damen Group|<small>Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding</small>]]
| style="text-align: center;" |<small>–</small>
| style="text-align: center;" |<small>–</small>
|<small>{{dts|2030|format=my|abbr=on}}</small>
|<small>Under contract</small>
| rowspan="2" |6,400 tonnes
| rowspan="2" |The Belgian Armed Forces  and [[Royal Netherlands Navy]] will replace their [[Karel Doorman-class frigate|''M''-class frigates]] with the [[Future Surface Combatant (Koninklijke Marine)|Future Surface Combatant]].<ref name="ReplacementMFrigate1">{{cite web |last=Fiorenza |first=Nicholas |date=29 May 2018 |title=Belgium approves M-frigate replacement |url=http://www.janes.com/article/80368/belgium-approves-m-frigate-replacement |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529203945/http://www.janes.com/article/80368/belgium-approves-m-frigate-replacement |archive-date=29 May 2018 |access-date=29 May 2018 |publisher=www.janes.com |language=en |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Naval News |date=2023-04-04 |title=Dutch Navy's ASW Frigates to enter service in 2029 |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/04/dutch-navys-asw-frigates-to-enter-service-in-2029/ |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}</ref> The new Belgian government announced its intention to order an additional third frigate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RegeerAkkoord NL DEF.pdf {{!}} PDF |url=https://www.scribd.com/document/822650014/RegeerAkkoord-NL-DEF-pdf#from_embed |access-date=2025-02-01 |website=Scribd |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align: center;" |<small>–</small>
| style="text-align: center;" |<small>–</small>
|<small>{{dts|2031|format=my|abbr=on}}</small>
|<small>Under contract</small>
|-
! colspan="12" |Mine countermeasures vessels (6)
|-
| rowspan="6" |[[City-class mine countermeasures vessel|'''''City'' class''']]
| rowspan="6" style="text-align: center;" |'''6'''
| rowspan="6" |{{FRA}} 
| rowspan="6" |[[File:Mine_Countermeasure_Vessel_concept_artist_impression_Koninklijke_Marine.jpg|alt=|200x200px|''Santa Maria''-class frigate]]
<small>''Artist impression''</small>
| rowspan="6" |[[Mine countermeasures vessel|MCM]]
<small>''"mine countermeasures vessel"''</small>
| rowspan="6" |<small>[[Naval Group]],</small>
<small>{{ill|ECA Group|lt=|fr|ECA Group}}</small>

<small>Piriou</small>
|<small>{{ship|Belgian minehunter|Oostende|M940|2}}</small>
|<small>M940</small>
|<small>{{dts|August 2025|format=my|abbr=on}} <ref name="Gain-2024">{{Cite web |last=Gain |first=Nathan |date=2024-05-13 |title=Belgian-Dutch rMCM mine warfare program facing delays |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/05/belgian-dutch-rmcm-mine-warfare-program-facing-delays/ |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}</ref></small>
|<small>Sea Trials</small>
| rowspan="6" |2,800 tonnes
| rowspan="6" |Successor of the {{sclass|Tripartite|minehunter|4}} in collaboration with the Royal Netherlands Navy announced in March 2019.<ref name="Frans consortium mag nieuwe Belgische mijnenjagers bouwen" />
|-
|<small>{{ship|Belgian minehunter|Tournai|M941|2}}</small>
|<small>M941</small>
|<small>{{dts|March 2026|format=my|abbr=on}} <ref name="Gain-2024" /></small>
|<small>Construction</small>
|-
|<small>{{ship|Belgian minehunter|Brugge|M942|2}}</small>
|<small>M942</small>
|<small>{{dts|December 2026|format=my|abbr=on}} <ref name="Gain-2024" /></small>
|<small>Construction</small>
|-
|<small>{{ship|Belgian minehunter|Liège|M943|2}}</small>
|<small>M943</small>
|<small>{{dts|December 2027|format=my|abbr=on}} <ref name="Gain-2024" /></small>
|<small>Construction</small>
|-
|<small>{{ship|Belgian minehunter|Antwerpen|M944|2}}</small>
|<small>M944</small>
|<small>{{dts|December 2028|format=my|abbr=on}} <ref name="Gain-2024" /></small>
|<small>Under contract</small>
|-
|<small>{{ship|Belgian minehunter|Rochefort|M945|2}}</small>
|<small>M945</small>
|<small>{{dts|December 2029|format=my|abbr=on}} <ref name="Gain-2024" /></small>
|<small>Under contract</small>
|-
! colspan="12" |Patrol vessels (1)
|-
|'''{{sclass|Castor|coastal patrol vessel|4}}'''
| style="text-align: center;" |'''1'''
|{{FRA}}
| style="text-align: center;" |[[File:Castor - P901 (cropped).jpg|200x200px]]
|[[Patrol boat|Coastal patrol vessel]]
|[[Socarenam|SOCARENAM]]
<small>Sociéte Calaisienne de Réparation Navale et Mécanique</small>
| style="text-align: center;" |Vega
| style="text-align: center;" |<small>P903</small>
| style="text-align: center;" |<small>Delivery first half of 2027</small>
|<small>Under contract</small>
| style="text-align: center;" |455 tonnes
|In 2023 Belgium decided to get a third patrol ship to patrol the Belgian sector of the North Sea.<ref>[https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/en/2023/03/23/belgian-navy-to-get-third-patrol-ship/ Belgium will get a third patrol ship] {{in lang|en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gain |first=Nathan |date=2023-03-24 |title=Belgian Navy to procure a third Coastal Patrol Vessel |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/03/belgian-navy-to-procure-a-third-coastal-patrol-vessel/ |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}</ref> Delivery in 2027.
|}

== Aircraft ==
Aircraft  operated by [[40th Squadron Heli (Belgium)|40th Squadron Heli]], from the Belgian Air Component.

=== Current fleet ===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Type
!Role
!Number
!Photo
!Notes
|-
! [[NHIndustries NH90|'''NH90''']]
| [[Utility helicopter]] and [[search and rescue]]
| 4
| [[File:NH Industries NH90-NFH ‘RN-02’ (28002626845).jpg|alt=|frameless]]
|2013 The first NH90 helicopter was delivered and introduced into service replacing the [[Westland Sea King]] and [[Alouette III]] from 2014 onwards. 
All four NH90 helicopters are planned to be upgraded with full anti-submarine warfare capabilities.<ref name="Gain-2022">{{Cite web |last=Gain |first=Nathan |date=2022-09-06 |title=The STAR Plan: New Capabilities in Sight for the Belgian Navy |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/09/the-star-plan-new-capabilities-in-sight-for-the-belgian-navy/ |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}</ref>
|}

=== Future aircraft ===
{| class="wikitable"
!Programme
!Role
!Number
!Photo
!Notes
|-
!'''STAR Plan'''
|[[Search and rescue|Search and rescue helicopter]]
|4
|<small>''[[File:Search and rescue (6242577241).jpg|alt=|frameless]]''</small>
<small>''(Illustration)''</small>
|Purchase of 4 new helicopters for SAR missions in order to enable the NH90 to be fully deployed on Belgian frigates <ref>{{Cite web |last=Herk |first=Hans van |date=2022-01-13 |title=New helicopters for Belgian Air Force |url=https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/new-helicopters-for-belgian-air-force |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=www.scramble.nl |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="Gain-2022" />
|}

== Past fleet list ==
Belgian Navy ships since 1945:
*{{sclass|Tacoma|frigate|1}}
** [[USS Sheboygan (PF-57)|F910 ''Victor Billet'']], ''Tacoma''-class frigate (decommissioned 1959, scrapped)
*{{sclass|Wielingen|frigate|1}}
** [[Belgian frigate Wielingen (F910)|F910 ''Wielingen]], ''Wielingen''-class frigate (decommissioned in the summer of 2007 and sold to Bulgaria)
** [[Belgian frigate Westdiep (F911)|F911 ''Westdiep'']], ''Wielingen''-class frigate (decommissioned on 5 October 2007 and sold to Bulgaria)
** [[Belgian frigate Wandelaar (F912)|F912 ''Wandelaar'']], ''Wielingen''-class frigate (decommissioned and sold to Bulgaria in 2005)
** [[Belgian frigate Westhinder (F913)|F913 ''Westhinder'']], ''Wielingen''-class frigate (decommissioned 1993, scrapped)
*{{sclass2|Tripartite|minehunter|1}}
** M915 ''Aster'', Tripartite minehunter
** M918 ''Dianthus'', Tripartite minehunter (sold to France 1993)
** M919 ''Fuchsia'', Tripartite minehunter (sold to France 1993)
** M920 ''Iris'', Tripartite minehunter (sold to France 1993)
** M922 ''Myosotis'', Tripartite minehunter (sold to Bulgaria 2007)
*{{sclass|Algerine|minesweeper|1}}
** M900 ''Adrien de Gerlache'' (ex HMS ''Liberty'', acquired 1949 – decommissioned 1969)
** M901 ''Georges Lecointe'' (i) (ex HMS ''Cadmus'', acquired 1950 – decommissioned 1959)
** M901 ''Georges Lecointe'' (ii) (ex HMCS ''Wallaceburg'', acquired 1959 – decommissioned 1969)
** M902 ''Van Haverbeke'' (i) (ex HMS ''Ready'' – acquired 1951 – decommissioned 1960)
** M903 ''Dufour'' (i) (ex HMS ''Fancy'' – acquired 1951 – decommissioned 1959)
** F903 ''Dufour'' (ii) (ex HMCS ''Winnipeg'' – acquired 1959 – decommissioned 1966)
** M904 ''De Brouwer'' (i) (ex HMS ''Spanker'' – acquired 1953 – decommissioned 1966)
** M905 ''De Moor'' (ex HMS ''Rosario'' – acquired 1953 – decommissioned 1966)
[[File:Van ha10.jpg|right|thumb|Coat of arms of the M902 ''Van Haverbeke.'']]
*MSO-class minesweeper ({{sclass|Aggressive|minesweeper|4}})
** M902 ''Van Haverbeke'' (ii) (ex USN MSO522 – acquired 1960 – decommissioned)
** M903 ''Dufour'' (ex USN AM498 – ex USN MSO522 – ex Norwegian Navy M951 ''Lagen'' – acquired 1966 – decommissioned 1985)
** M904 ''Debrouwer'' (ex USN AM499 – ex USN MSO499 – ex Norwegian Navy M952 ''Namsen'' – acquired 1966 – decommissioned 1993)
** M906 ''Breydel'' (ex USN AM504, ex USN MSO504, acquired 1956 – decommissioned 1993)
** M907 ''Artevelde'' (ex USN AM503, ex USN MSO503, acquired 1955 – decommissioned 1985)
** M908 ''Truffaut'' (ex USN AM515, ex USN MSO515, acquired 1956 – decommissioned 1993)
** M909 ''Bovesse'' (ex USN AM516, ex USN MSO516, acquired 1957 – decommissioned 1993)
** ''Pico'' (ex USN AM497 – ex USN MSO497 – ex Portuguese Navy M418 ''Pico'' – acquired 1974 for spares, subsequently stripped and abandoned, never commissioned)
*MSC-class coastal minesweeper (including 26 [[Adjutant-class minesweeper]]s provided through US MDAP)
** M910 ''Diest'' (sold to Taiwan 1969)
** M911 ''Eeklo'' (sold to Taiwan 1969)
** M912 ''Lier'' (sold to Taiwan 1969)
** M913 ''Maaseik'' (sold to Taiwan 1969)
** M914 ''Roeselare'' (sold to Norway 1966)
** M915 ''Arlon'' (sold to Norway 1966)
** M916 ''Bastogne'' (sold to Norway 1966)
** M917 ''Charleroi'' (sold to Taiwan 1969)
** M918 ''Sint-Niklaas'' (sold to Taiwan 1969)
** M919 ''Sint-Truiden'' (sold to Greece 1969)
** M920 ''Diksmuide'' (sold to Taiwan 1969)
** M921 ''Herve'' (sold to Greece 1969)
** M922 ''Malmedy'' (sold to Greece 1969)
** M923 ''Blankenberge'' (sold to Greece 1969)
** M924 ''Laroche'' (sold to Greece 1969)
** M925 ''De Panne'' (retired from service 1969)
** M926 ''Mechelen'' (converted to research ship – decommissioned)
** M927 ''Spa'' (converted to munition transport and renumbered A963 – decommissioned and sold to a Dutch foundation, re-commissioned as museum ship AMS60 ''Bernisse'')
** M928 ''Stavelot'' (decommissioned 1987)
** M929 ''Heist'' (decommissioned 1992)
** M930 ''Rochefort'' (decommissioned 1992)
** M931 ''Knokke'' (decommissioned 1976)
** M932 ''Nieuwpoort'' (decommissioned 1991)
** M933 ''Koksijde'' (decommissioned 1991)
** M934 ''Verviers'' (ex USN MSC259 – converted to minehunter 1972 – decommissioned 1988)
** M935 ''Veurne'' (ex USN MSC260 – converted to minehunter 1972 – decommissioned 1987)
*MSI-class inshore minesweepers (similar to the British [[Ham-class minesweeper|Ham]] or [[Ley-class minehunter|Ley]] classes)
** M470 ''Temse'' (sold to South Korea 1970)
** M471 ''Hasselt'' (decommissioned 1989; transferred to Belgian Sea Cadet Corps in 1993)
** M472 ''Kortrijk'' (decommissioned 1989)
** M473 ''Lokeren'' (decommissioned 1987)
** M474 ''Turnhout'' (decommissioned 1991)
** M475 ''Tongeren'' (decommissioned 1991)
** M476 ''Merksem'' (decommissioned 1992)
** M477 ''Oudenaarde'' (decommissioned 1989; stored on dry land in [[Antwerp]])
** M478 ''Herstal'' (decommissioned 1991)
** M479 ''Huy'' (decommissioned 1990)
** M480 ''Seraing'' (decommissioned 1990)
** M481 ''Tournai'' (sold to South Korea 1970)
** M482 ''Visé'' (decommissioned 1991)
** M483 ''Ougrée'' (decommissioned 1992; she is in civilian ownership on the [[River Medway]] in [[Chatham, Medway|Chatham]], [[Kent]], England (2007))
** M484 ''Dinant'' (decommissioned 1992)
** M485 ''Andenne'' (decommissioned 1991)
*Motorminesweeper 105 class
** M940 (decommissioned 1954)
** M941 (decommissioned 1954)
** M942 (decommissioned 1954)
** M943 (decommissioned 1954)
** M944 (decommissioned 1954)
** M945 (decommissioned 1954)
** M946 (decommissioned 1954)
** M947 (decommissioned 1954)
*Miscellaneous combatant vessels
** ''Barcock'' ([[Bar-class boom defence vessel]]); ex-Royal Navy [[HMS Barcock|HMS ''Barcock'']]; acquired 1946; returned 1949)
** ''Bootsman Jonson'' (minesweeper; ex-Kriegsmarine V1001; acquired 1944; decommissioned 1949)
** ''Bootsman Jonson 2'' (minesweeper; ex-Kriegsmarine V1300; acquired 1948; decommissioned 1952)
*Patrol boats
** P900 ''Ijzer'' (decommissioned 1969; fate unknown)
** P901 ''Leie'' (decommissioned 1983; sold privately; acquired by [[Royal Belgian Sea Cadet Corps]] in later sale)
** P902 ''Dender'' (sold in 1954 without being commissioned)
** P902 ''Liberation'' (decommissioned 2011; donated to acquired by Royal Belgian Sea Cadet Corps in 2012)
** P903 ''Meuse'' (decommissioned 1983; on display at Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History, [[Brussels]])
** P904 ''Sambre'' (decommissioned 1983; donated to Royal Belgian Sea Cadet Corps 1985)
** P905 ''Schelde'' (decommissioned 1983; stored on dry land in [[Antwerp]])
** P906 ''Semois'' (decommissioned 1983; sold privately 1985; sunk during storm in Alicante, Spain 1992)
** P907 ''Rupel'' (decommissioned 1983; sold privately 1985; awaiting overhaul by current owner)
** P908 ''Ourthe'' (decommissioned 1983; sold privately 1985; fate unknown)
*Auxiliary ships
** A950 ''Sub-Lieutenant Valcke'' (tug; built 1951; decommissioned 1980; sold privately)
** A951 ''Hommel'' (harbor tug; built in Germany 1953; decommissioned 1999)
** A952 ''Wesp'' (harbor tug; built in Germany 1953; decommissioned 1984)
** A952 ''Bij'' (harbour tug; built in The Netherlands 1959; decommissioned 1986)
** A955 ''Eupen'' (decommissioned 1966)
** A956 ''Krekel'' (harbour tug; built in Belgium 1961; decommissioned 1986)
** A957 ''Kamina'' (former German U-boat tender ''Herman von Wissmann''; also wore pennant numbers AP907 and AP957; decommissioned 1967)
** A959 ''Mier'' (harbour tug; decommissioned 1984)
** [[Belgian ship Godetia (A960)|A960 ''Godetia'']] (MCM Logistics & Command ship, decommissioned 2021)
** A961 ''Zinnia'' (supply ship; decommissioned 1993; scrapped 2007)
** A962 ''Mechelen'' (ex-M926 ''Mechelen''; converted to research ship 1963; decommissioned 1983)
** [[Borys Aleksandrov (research vessel)|A962 ''Belgica'']] (decommissioned 2021, gifted to Ukraine)
** A963 ''Spa'' (ex-M927 ''Spa''; converted to munitions transport ship 1978; decommissioned and sold 1993)
** A963 ''Stern'', (ex-Swedish coastguard ship, laid down 1979, in Belgian service 2000, decommissioned 2014) Ready Duty Ship
** A964 ''Heist'' (ex-M929 ''Heist''; converted to auxiliary ship 1978; reconverted to M929 ''Heist'' 1985)
** A983 ''Quatuor'' (royal yacht; sold 2013)
** A996 ''Albatros'' (ready duty ship; decommissioned 2014)
** [[Griffon 2000TD hovercraft|A999 ''Barbara'']], hovercraft (decommissioned 2009)
** ''Avila'' (royal yacht; on display at Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History, [[Brussels]])
** ''Inga 1'' (tug; built 1959; abandoned in [[Belgian Congo]] 1960)
** ''MTL551'' (motor transport launch; ex-US Navy MTL551; acquired 1947; sold 1953)
*Inland waterways barges
** A998 ''Ekster'' (munitions transport barge; acquired 1953; decommissioned 1979)
** FN1 (abandoned in [[Belgian Congo]] 1960)
** FN2 (abandoned in [[Belgian Congo]] 1960)
** FN3 (abandoned in [[Belgian Congo]] 1960)
** FN4 (decommissioned 1982)
** FN5 (decommissioned 1982)
** FN6 (decommissioned 1982)

=== Belgian naval aircraft since 1945 ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Type
!Origin
!Variants
!Period of service
!Notes
!Aircraft serial
|-
|[[Aerospatiale Alouette III]]|| France || SA.316B Alouette III || 1971 - 2021 ||Three helicopters || M
|-
|[[Sikorsky S-58]] || United States || HSS-1 Seabat || 1962 - 1971 ||Two helicopters || B
|}
* See [[Belgian aircraft registration and serials]]

==See also==
* [[Royal Belgian Sea Cadet Corps]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |last1=Leconte |first1=Louis |title=La marine de guerre belge (1830–1940) |date=1945 |publisher=Renaissance du Livre |location=Brussels|oclc=18663047}}
*{{cite book |last1=Van Raemdonck |first1=Jasper |title=Het Belgisch Marinekorps, 1939-1940 |date=2000 |publisher=De Krijger |location=Erpe |isbn=9789072547873}}
*{{cite book |last1=Koninckx |first1=Christian |title=De Belgische Marine sedert 1946 : Een geschiedenis |date=2020 |publisher=Lannoo |location=Tielt |isbn=9782390251491}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Deloge |first1=Pascal |last2=Sterkendries |first2=Jean-Michel |title=Une histoire de braves marins et de petits navires. La Marine belge en Europe |journal=Revue historique des Armées |date=1997 |volume=206 |issue=1 |pages=111–122 |doi=10.3406/rharm.1997.4634 |url=https://www.persee.fr/doc/rharm_0035-3299_1997_num_206_1_4634}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Navy of Belgium}}
* [https://www.mil.be/nl/over-defensie/marinecomponent/ official website of the Naval Component] {{In lang|nl}} {{In lang|fr}}
* [http://zm-fn.blogspot.com/ http://zm-fn.blogspot.com/], non-official blog of pictures of our old ships, in French.

{{Belgian military}}
{{Allied Maritime Command}}
{{Navies in Europe}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Belgian Navy| ]]
[[Category:1831 establishments in Belgium]]
[[Category:Navies by country]]
[[Category:Belgium and NATO]]