In 2021, SIREHNA signed a major contract with KERSHIP for the delivery of 12 Dynamic Positioning (DP) systems certified DP IMO Class 2 and a Track Control Autopilot System, both approved by Bureau Veritas.
These systems will equip the 82-meter vessels of the rMCM (MineCounter Measures vessels) program, destined for the Belgian and Dutch navies: odd-numbered vessels for Belgium and even-numbered vessels for the Netherlands.
These next-generation vessels will play a key role in future mine countermeasure operations thanks to their ability to launch and recover Exail drones, which are central to the operational concept of the program.
They are the first mine warfare vessels capable of carrying, deploying and recovering a full set of drones — surface drones (themselves 12-meter, 18-ton unmanned vessels), underwater drones and aerial drones.
A LONG-TERM PROGRAM
Signed in May 2021, the program runs until 2029, which marks the delivery of the 12th system.
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Sea acceptance of the first production DP/AP system in 2025, and operational commissioning of the FOC Oostende on November 7, 2025 — the first of the twelve rMCM vessels, delivered to the Belgian Navy.
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Three systems have already been accepted at sea to date.
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An industrial capability enabling two DP/AP systems delivered and accepted per year.
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A STRATEGIC PROJECT TO STRENGTHEN THE OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES OF THE NAVIES
The main objective of the project is the delivery, integration and commissioning of 12 DP/AP systems over a nine-year period
These systems will:
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Improve vessel station-keeping capabilities in all conditions and secure UAV and USV launch and recovery operations,
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Transform and enhance the reliability of mine countermeasure operations,
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Integrate mine-avoidance functionalities, essential in demanding and complex operational environments.
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This DP/AP suite provides a major capability enhancement, enabling the vessels to fully participate in mine hunting missions alongside the drone systems.
A COMPLETE TECHNICAL SCOPE AND A MULTIDISCIPLINARY EFFORT
SIREHNA oversees all activities in close cooperation with key partners such as NAVAL GROUP, Kership, SNEF and Themis:
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Qualification, certification, delivery and commissioning of all 12 systems,
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Continuous support for the customer throughout the entire project lifecycle,
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Assistance during test phases and sea acceptance trials.
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OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD
The first sea trials demonstrate excellent performance of the DP/AP system, confirming both the robustness of the technical choices made and the reliability of the architecture developed by SIREHNA.
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A solution compliant with cybersecurity requirements and URE27 regulations,
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A system fully dedicated to mine warfare missions,
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A controlled and scalable serial production capability,
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This success naturally paves the way for new opportunities in future mine countermeasure programs, both in Europe and internationally.
