1/5 A new milestone in maritime autonomy 🌊🚀 Yesterday, the Belgian Navy joined MAHI in Mechelen for the unveiling of the Alpha‑8, a fully Belgian‑built unmanned demonstration vessel. A proud moment for Belgian innovation 🇧🇪✨

🌍 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗴𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 Yesterday, the Naval Base in Zeebrugge welcomed several high‑level visitors. A delegation of defence attachés from (1/4)

🛰️ 𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿? Our new mine warfare vessels can deploy underwater drones, surface drones and aerial drones, but these systems can also operate away from the ship.

1/5 🌊 𝗕𝗘𝗟𝗚𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗡𝗔𝗩𝗬 𝗔𝗧 𝐍𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡 & 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 : Global trade, undersea cables, pipelines, offshore wind farms --> our societies depend on the maritime domain more than ever and the Belgian Navy was there to share its expertise⚓🌍

🤝 Belgian and Slovenian Very Shallow Water teams trained together at the lakes of l’Eau d’Heure. The goal was simple: understand each other’s way of working in shallow water conditions.

What does it take to save lives at sea? 🌊🚑 1/5 What does it really take to save lives at sea? Two intense days aboard the Belgian Navy’s mine warfare vessel Lobelia ⚓🐚 gave medical students and sailors a realistic, high‑pressure taste of maritime emergency care — far beyond classroom theory.

🎉 Do you know who’s celebrating a birthday today? The Belgian Navy ! 80 years strong. 🇧🇪 This 1 February marks 80 years since the creation of what became today’s modern Belgian Navy. Eight decades proving that effectiveness is not about numbers, but about quality.

🕹️ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗯𝗼𝘅 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗱𝗼𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝘆 ⚓ The Belgian Navy continues to move forward in 2026. After the arrival of the new mine countermeasures vessel Oostende, another step followed this week in Zeebrugge: (1/5)

[VSW | 1/4] ⚓🇧🇪🤝🇸🇮 At the Lakes of Eau d’Heure, the Belgian Navy’s VSW (Very Shallow Water) team welcomed the Slovenian Navy for a joint training exercise. For several days, both teams worked side by side, testing underwater technologies and comparing methods. 🌊

[80Y - 1/4] ⚓ 80 YEARS OF THE BELGIAN NAVY In 2026, the Belgian Navy marks 80 years of service at sea and commitment in a changing world. Each month, we’ll look back at a key moment of that journey. Today: back to the beginning. 🌊 #TheBelgianNavy #80YearsBelgianNavy

[OPS26 1/4] 💪 In 2026, the Belgian Navy will deploy a minehunter to the North Sea and Baltic Sea as part of NATO Standing Naval Forces, focusing on maritime routes and critical subsea infrastructure.

Arrived in Belgium 🇧🇪 almost ready to serve🫡 👉M940 Oostende 🆕The first of six mine warfare vessels of the City Class has arrived in Zeebrugge.👏 🚢With the Oostende, @thebelgiannavy.bsky.social enters a whole new era 🚀 A warm welcome awaited the ship in our naval base in Zeebrugge.

⚓️The M940 Oostende arrived for the first time in Zeebrugge, welcomed by the M921 Lobelia. The Oostende will bring our expertise in mine hunting to a higher level in a new era of drones and hightech innovation. Tradition meets future and together they are keeping our seas safer.

Arriving tomorrow...🚢 What makes the M940 OOSTENDE so special? It’s the mothership of a new mine warfare era — carrying autonomous drones for remote mine neutralization, while also serving as a versatile command ship for multiple naval missions. ⚓ #M940Oostende #FutureNavy

🚢 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠? 👀 In August, we got a sneak peek inside the Oostende, the very first of six brand-new mine countermeasure vessels soon joining our fleet. 🇧🇪⚓

𝗟𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗔𝗖 𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗻 [FR] Le Lobelia et le navire école 🇫🇷 Almak ont largué les amares avec les élèves de notre Navy Academy pour plusieurs semaines en mer.🚢 Durant cette période la théorie se transforme en pratique.💪/1

It’s getting closer… 🚢✨ Soon we’ll welcome the Oostende, the first of our new mine countermeasure vessels. Belgium and the Netherlands will each receive six of these state-of-the-art ships, designed to keep sea lanes open and safe for global trade. 🌍 📸 Spotted in August. ⚓

NAVY TECHNOFest 2025 | Day - 1 ! 🚀 Tomorrow, #TheBelgianNavy opens the gates at #Zeebrugge! 🌊 Come & #discover the #newTechnology shaping our #Navy. #NAVYTECHNOFest

𝗘𝗫𝗘𝗥𝗖𝗜𝗦𝗘 | 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗠𝗨𝗦/𝗗𝗬𝗠𝗦25 PART 1 🧵 🚁 Unmanned, heading into the future During REPMUS/DYNAMIC MESSENGER 25, military personnel, researchers, and industry tested the newest maritime technology.

[OSG - 1/4] 💪 This summer, #theBelgianNavy took part in NATO’s #OperationSeaGuardian. The goal? Keep the Mediterranean safe by tracking suspicious activity at sea.

🌊 End of NAC Summer Campaign ⚓ 4 weeks. Ships, teamwork, growth. 💪 From boat handling to fueling drills and technical aspects, our students faced every challenge — and crushed it. 💥 This summer? Unforgettable. ✅This team? Ready for the future. #WeCreateExperts #NACSUMMER2025

National Holiday 🖤💛❤️ We protect our country at sea. With strength and pride. Every single day. We are the Belgian Navy 💙 #be2107 #navy #marine

🇩🇰 #Denmark wraps up its presidency of the #MTMDForum, a milestone year of key exercises like Formidable Shield 2025. Now, #Belgium takes the lead to strengthen air & missile defense across 12 nations. 🚀“Naval units defend coasts, territories, and ships,” says Commander Rune. 🌍

[1/3] 🇧🇪 On June 10, 1969, seven Belgian mine divers tragically lost their lives while defusing a bomb in Oostduinkerke. Their bravery ensured our safety. #TheBelgianNavy

[1/3] 🇧🇪 Belgian sailors were vital to the success of D-Day. Despite having no official Navy, they served in the Royal Navy and played a crucial role in troop landings. #Dday #TheBelgianNavy

[1/4] 🔥 Fire drill success in the #BalticSea: Belgium leads the way with #SNMCMG1. Crews aboard KULLEN and SNELLIUS faced a simulated explosion and fire. #TheBelgianNavy #KoninkelijkeMarine

EXERCISE | Minehunting at Open Spirit 2025 1/ [NL] 💣 Marine op mijnenjacht in Litouwen! 🇧🇪🌊 Doel? Het opsporen van oude zeemijnen voor veiligere zeevaart, schone stranden én een beschermd milieu. 🛟🌍 beldefnews.mil.be/de-marine-op...

1/ [NL] Het fregat Louise-Marie is dit voorjaar uitgevaren voor 🛡️ Formidable Shield, een tweejaarlijkse NAVO-oefening in het Hoge Noorden. Bekijk de hele reportage op beldefnews.mil.be/formidable-s... #WeAreNato #FormidableShield #FS25

CYBER DEFENSE FACTORY 🛡️💻"Oorlog wordt vandaag niet alleen op land, zee of in de lucht gevoerd, maar ook via het toetsenbord." — Divisieadmiraal Tanguy Botman, Commandant van de Marine. @com-belgiannavy.bsky.social (1/3)

CYBER DEFENSE FACTORY 🛡️💻« La guerre se mène aujourd’hui non seulement sur terre, en mer ou dans les airs, mais aussi via le clavier. » — Amiral de Division Tanguy Botman, Commandant de la Marine. @com-belgiannavy.bsky.social (1/3)

[NL 1/2] Op maandag 28 april observeerde en begeleidde de Castor het gecontroleerd afzinken van twee caissons – een sleutelmoment in de bouw van het toekomstige Prinses Elisabeth Eiland. Het eerste kunstmatige energie-eiland ter wereld. ⚡🏝️ #MaritimeSecurity #Navy #offshore

[FR] 1/4🎉Kongsberg Discovery rejoint le programme belgo-néerlandais MineCounter Measures (rMCM) avec une technologie de communication révolutionnaire : la Maritime Broadband Radio (MBR), système assurant une liaison stable, même en conditions maritimes plus difficiles. #TheBelgianNavy #rMCM

[NL 1/4] 🎉 Wissel van commando aan boord van Lobelia! Op 26 april, middenin operatie Baltic Sentry, gaf Korvetkapitein Marleen Van den Eynde het roer door aan Luitenant-ter-Zee Gill Priem. Een symbolische maar betekenisvolle overgang voor de bemanning! #TheBelgianNavy #BNSLobelia

[FR 1/4]🎉 Changement de commandement à bord du Lobelia ! Le 26 avril, en pleine opération Baltic Sentry, le Capitaine de corvette Marleen Van den Eynde a passé la barre au Lieutenant de vaisseau Gill Priem. Une transition symbolique mais pleine de sens pour l’équipage ! #TheBelgianNavy #BNSLobelia

🇧🇪⚓ Respect to the heroes of yesterday and today! The Navy was there to honor them at Cinquantenaire. 🎖️ Thanks for sharing this moment with us! 🌊💙

✅Les premiers Fusiliers Marins ont achevé leur formation à la NAC, au terme de 7 semaines d’entraînement. Cette étape renforce la capacité de la Marine à mener des opérations sur et autour de l’eau. /1 🔗beldefnews.mil.be/la-marine-acheve-sa-premiere-formation-de-fusiliers-marins/?lang=fr

[NL 1/2] ⚓ Op 18 april hield patrouilleschip Castor een Russisch onderzoeksschip in onze Exclusieve Economische Zone in de gaten. #TheBelgianNavy #ZEE

[FR 1/2] ⚓ Le 18 avril, le patrouilleur #BNSCastor a surveillé un navire de recherche russe présent dans notre zone économique exclusive. #ZEE #TheBelgianNavy #P901Castor

1/ Gisteren volgde patrouilleschip Castor opnieuw een Russisch schip in onze Exclusieve Economische Zone,tot aan de noordelijke grens van de Nederlandse EEZ. Nederland had op dat moment geen marineschip in de buurt. In tijden van geopolitieke spanningen is samenwerking op zee cruciaal.

EXERCISE | Sea Survival Training [FR 1/2] - 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐞𝐫 🛟 🌊Au large de #Zeebrugge, le BNS Castor a accueilli les élèves de la #BelgianAirForce, pour un exercice de survie grandeur nature. Un objectif: survivre en cas d’amerrissage forcé.💪 #TheBelgianNavy

🚢💣Belgian Minehunter Lobelia departed today to join Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 🛡️ Fair winds to the crew! 👋Extra purpose of this deployment? ✅ Crucial presence in the Baltic Sea to protect critical infrastructure💪 #nato #wearenato #strongertogether

[NL] Het 🇧🇪 VSW (Very Shallow Water) Team nam deel aan de NAVO oefening Ariadne in 🇬🇷. Doel? Expertise opbouwen in het opsporen van zeemijnen met hoogtechnologisch materiaal. /1 Lees meer: beldefnews.mil.be/mijnenbestri...

💙 On International Women's Day, the Belgian Navy celebrates all DAMARS (Women of the Navy). We honor their dedication in ensuring maritime safety. 👉 You too can become a strong woman in the Navy, starting tomorrow. Join us in writing the next chapter of the DAMARS story! #internationalwomensday

SPORTS | Orienteering 🗺️ Working at the Navy is a sporty job! 🏃‍♂️ That’s why you get to stay fit during working hours. 💪 Recently, the Navy's sports crew organized an orienteering race. Perfect way to level up your skills! 🏃‍♀️ #Marine #Navy #Sport

Belgian minehunter 🇧🇪BNS Crocus and 🇫🇷French cadet training ship Almak outbound from Portsmouth this morning. Via: PortsmouthProud

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING 📝✍️🚢💣 After Belgium and the Netherlands, France is teaming up to tackle maritime mine threats! 🚢💣 With new state-of-the-art platforms, our navies are stronger and more united than ever. 🌍This is your chance to join the Belgian Navy and be part of something bigger.⚓

1/ #TheBelgianNavy sailors know that resilience and pushing beyond one’s limits are essential to face the sea. Denis Van Weynbergh represents our country’s colors by becoming the first Belgian to complete the #VendéeGlobe - one of the most demanding solo, non-stop, and unassisted races in the world.

Chief of Defense visits The Belgian Navy⚓ [NL] Generaal vlieger Frederik Vansina bezocht de basis en ging ook even mee op zee aan boord van de Castor: "Ik was onder de indruk van het professionalisme, de sfeer en motivatie bij de Marine!"🚢/1 #MaritimeSecurity #Navy @com-belgiannavy.bsky.social

OPERA | 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 🚨🌊 Last week, the Pollux played a key role in inspecting ships and preventing illegal activities. 🚢OPERA highlights the strength of our collaboration with Coast Guard partners and the use of multifunctional patrol vessels like the Pollux. @belgiandefence.bsky.social

1/🎉On February 23, 2025, marked the 75th #anniversary of the first use of the current #BelgianNavy flag - an emblem of honor and tradition. Introduced on February 23, 1950, and hoisted the first time aboard M901 Georges Lecointe on March 2, 1950, this flag remains a key #symbol.