Belgian Navy

The Belgian Navy, officially the Naval Component (, ; , ; , ) of the Belgian Armed Forces, is the naval service of Belgium.

History

Early history

The Belgian Navy was created as the ''Marine Royale'' () on 15 January 1831. 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 brigantines to be built, which bore the names ''Congrès'' and ''Les Quatre Journées''. After the French Army, led by Marshal Count 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.

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 18 days campaign, the trawler A4 evacuated much of the government's gold reserve to Britain, while several others helped at the Allied evacuation at Dunkirk.

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, ( ''Buttercup'' and ), a squadron of MMS minesweepers and three patrol boats (, ''Electra'' and ''Kernot''). In 1946, Britain donated the ships to Belgium. These vessels became the backbone of the new Belgian Navy.

Cold War

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 s from the United Kingdom. They also received the and minesweepers from the United States. Later developments occurred in the 1970s, when the natively designed Belgian s were built, and in the 1980s when Belgium, France, and the Netherlands launched the s.

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 was taken out of service and that three 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 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 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.

Mission

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

Leadership

Ranks

Officer ranks

Other ranks

Fleet of ships

Active fleet of ships

Note: 1 ship to be (as of 2024) donated to Ukraine. Likely the Narcis, which will undergo full maintenance before being donated. Belgium providing basic training and the Netherlands offering on-the-job training for the crews.

Ships on order

Aircraft

Aircraft operated by 40th Squadron Heli, from the Belgian Air Component.

Current fleet

Future aircraft

Past fleet list

Belgian Navy ships since 1945:
*
** F910 ''Victor Billet'', ''Tacoma''-class frigate (decommissioned 1959, scrapped)
*
** F910 ''Wielingen, ''Wielingen''-class frigate (decommissioned in the summer of 2007 and sold to Bulgaria)
** F911 ''Westdiep'', ''Wielingen''-class frigate (decommissioned on 5 October 2007 and sold to Bulgaria)
** F912 ''Wandelaar'', ''Wielingen''-class frigate (decommissioned and sold to Bulgaria in 2005)
** F913 ''Westhinder'', ''Wielingen''-class frigate (decommissioned 1993, scrapped)
*
** 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)
*
** 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)

*MSO-class minesweeper ()
** 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 minesweepers 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 or 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, 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''; 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)
** 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)
** 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)
** 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

* See Belgian aircraft registration and serials

See also

* Royal Belgian Sea Cadet Corps

References

Further reading

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External links

official website of the Naval Component


http://zm-fn.blogspot.com/
non-official blog of pictures of our old ships, in French.

{{Authority control

1831 establishments in Belgium
Navies by country
Belgium and NATO