Zeebrugge, Belgium – June 27, 2025 — In a symbolic gesture of international military cooperation, Belgium officially handed over the mine hunter ship Narcis to Ukraine on Thursday, strengthening Kyiv’s maritime capabilities amid its ongoing war with Russia.
The donation, which took place at a formal ceremony in the naval port of Zeebrugge, was attended by Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken and his Dutch counterpart, Ruben Brekelmans.
The ship transfer is part of the Maritime Capability Coalition (MCC), an initiative jointly led by Belgium and the Netherlands, and supported by 15 other nations.
The MCC aims to build a modern, NATO-compatible Ukrainian naval force by 2035, capable of securing its maritime territory and contributing to broader regional stability in the Black Sea.
The Narcis, a Belgian mine countermeasure vessel, has now officially been decommissioned from the Belgian fleet and will soon be deployed under the Ukrainian flag.
Before the handover, Ukrainian naval personnel underwent months of intensive training in Belgium. The training was conducted under the longstanding Belgian-Dutch partnership on mine countermeasure capabilities.
Speaking at the handover event, Minister Francken underlined the symbolic and strategic importance of the donation.
“By strengthening the Ukrainian navy, we help the country defend itself and contribute to stability in the Black Sea region. This contribution is more than just a material delivery. It is a strong signal: Ukraine is not alone. We support its defensive reconstruction, including at sea,” he said.
His Dutch counterpart, Minister Brekelmans, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for long-term international cooperation in building a resilient Ukrainian military infrastructure.
“This ship will not only enhance Ukraine’s ability to detect and neutralize naval mines but will also support its broader efforts to secure maritime routes and protect civilian shipping from threats,” he said.
The Narcis, launched in the late 1980s, was previously used for mine detection and disposal in Belgian and international waters.
Though nearing the end of its service life within NATO fleets, the ship remains fully operational and is expected to play a key role in safeguarding Ukrainian waters from Russian naval mines, particularly in the contested Black Sea region.
Ukraine’s growing naval needs have gained urgency in the past two years as maritime routes have become strategic choke points.
The Black Sea, once dominated by Russian naval forces, has seen increasing Ukrainian resistance—much of it bolstered by Western training, weaponry, and technological assistance.
The MCC was launched earlier this year with the goal of not only transferring equipment but also aligning Ukrainian naval doctrines and practices with NATO standards. This includes training, logistical support, interoperability, and infrastructure development.
With Thursday’s donation, Belgium reaffirms its position as a committed partner in Ukraine’s defence. As the conflict endures, the transfer of the Narcis represents both a practical boost to Ukrainian naval capability and a powerful symbol of solidarity from Western allies.
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