World Navies Today: Belgium

Revised 3 November 2001
Version 1.11
Compiled and Maintained by: Andrew Toppan
World Navies Today Main Page: http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/


This list includes all surface combatants, submarines, mine warfare
vessels and patrol craft over 100 tons displacement, and all amphibious
ships and auxiliaries over 500 tons displacement.  Non-self-propelled
craft and vessels without seagoing capability are not included. 

Ships not yet commissioned, or in long-term overhaul/conversion, are
listed in [brackets].  Navigation and surface-search radars are not
listed.  All designations & classifications are unofficial; they may or
may not correspond to "official" designations.


Surface Combatants
Mine Countermeasures Vessels
Auxiliaries



Surface Combatants
Wielingen class light ASW frigates
Displacement: 2,283 tons full load
Dimensions: 106.38 x 12.3  5.3 meters (349 x 40 x 17 feet)
Propulsion: 2 shafts; 2 cruise diesels, 6,000 bhp, 20 knots;
   1 high speed gas turbine, 28,000 shp, 25 knots
Crew: 160
Radar: DA-05 air search
Sonar: SQS-505A hull
Fire Control: WM-25 missile control
EW: Elcos-1 intercept, SRBOC, SLQ-25 Nixie
Armament: 4 MM38 Exocet, 1 8-cell Sea Sparrow, 1 100mm DP, 375 mm
   ASW mortar, 2 ASW torpedo launching racks
	Small frigates, primarily for ASW.  Two normally operational,
	with one in reserve/refit.

Number	Name				Year 	Homeport	Notes
F910	Wielingen			1978	Zeebrugge
F911	Westdiep			1978	Zeebrugge
F912	Wandelaar			1978	Zeebrugge	


Mine Countermeasures Vessels
KMV class minesweepers
Displacement: 644 tons full load
Dimensions: 52.37 x 10.4 x 3.08 meters
Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 2,200 bhp, 15 knots
Crew: 32
Sonar: 
Armament: 1 30mm AA, 2 12.7mm MG
	A new Belgian-Dutch minesweeper program.  Funding for construction	
	is questionable.

Number	Name				Year 	Homeport	Notes
[M926	(none)				2003	planned]
[M927	(none)				2004	planned]
[M928	(none)				2005	planned]
[M929	(none)				2006	planned]

Aster (Tripartite) class minehunters
Displacement: 595 tons full load
Dimensions: 51.6 x 9 x 3.5 meters (169 x 29 x 11.5 feet)
Propulsion: 1 diesel, 1 shaft, 1900 bhp, 15 knots
Crew: 55
Sonar: DUBM 21B minehunting, 2 PAP-104 ROV 
Armament: 1 20 mm, 2 12.7 mm
	Minehunters with a minimal light minesweeping capability.
	Three sold to France; one converted to munitions transport.

Number	Name				Year 	Homeport	Notes
M915	Aster				1985
M916	Bellis				1986
M917	Crocus				1987
M921	Lobella				1989
M923	Narcis				1990
M924	Primula				1991


Auxiliaries

Note: A large command/transport ship is planned, possibly an LPD-like
design.  One or two large mine countermeasures support ships are also 
planned.

Godetia minecraft tender
Displacement: 2,500 tons full load
Dimensions: 91.83 x 14 x 3.5 meters (301 x 46 x 11.5 feet)
Propulsion: 4 diesels, 2 shafts, 5,400 bhp, 18 knots 
Crew: 95
Armament: 1 40 mm AA, 6 12.7 mm MG
	Provides logistics, repair and command support for minecraft.
	To be retired in 2010.

Number	Name				Year 	Homeport	Notes
A960	Godetia				1966	Zeebrugge

Belgica coastal oceanographic & fisheries research ship
Displacement: 835 tons full load
Dimensions: 50.9 x 10 x 4.4 meters (167 x 33 x 14.5 feet)
Propulsion: 1 diesel, 1 shaft, 1,570 bhp, 12 knots
Crew: 15 + 11 mission crew

Number	Name				Year 	Homeport	Notes
A962	Belgica				1984	

Georges Truffaut (Agile/Dash) class mine countermeasures trials ship
 
Displacement: 780 tons full load
Dimensions: 52.42 x 10.97 x 4.2 meters (172 x 36 x 14 feet)
Propulsion: 4 diesels, 2 shafts, 1.520 bhp, 14 knots
Crew: 72
Sonar: SQQ-14 minehunting, PAP-104 ROV
Armament: 2 12.7 mm MG
	Ex-US ocean minesweeper now employed in trials of equipment for the
	new minesweeper class.

Number	Name				Year 	Homeport	Notes
M908	Georges Truffaut		1956/56			Ex-AM 515

Myosotis (modified Tripartite class) munitions transport
Displacement: 595 tons full load
Dimensions: 51.6 x 9 x 3.5 meters (169 x 29 x 11.5 feet)
Propulsion: 1 diesel, 1 shaft, 1900 bhp, 15 knots
Crew: 29
Armament: removed
	Minehunter converted to munitions transport.

Number	Name				Year 	Homeport	Notes
M922	Myosotis			1989