[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.

Monday Motivation | 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 Are you a fan of video games? 🎮 Did you know that in the Navy, you can work a controller, but this time to complete important missions, such as detecting mines? 🚀 This week is the time to show that you're up for the challenge! #marine #navy #minehunting

|CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE| - READY 24/7 🌊🔒 Security tests for critical infrastructure in the North Sea 🛡️ Subsea cables, pipelines, and wind farms in the North Sea are vital for our energy supply and digital connectivity with the rest of the world. To better prepare for potential threats, the (1/3)

BELGIAN NAVY TAKES KEY ROLE IN NEW NATO OPERATION “BALTIC SENTRY” 🛡️NATO has launched a new operation in the Baltic Sea, with Belgium taking on a pivotal role. Just days after a Belgian staff assumed command of NATO’s first mine countermeasures fleet, it has been confirmed that (1/3)

1 / 4 ✊ « It is an honor to assume the role of #COMSNMCMG1 in these turbulent times. » It is with these words that #Commander Erik Kockx began his speech during the Change of Command #ceremony for #NATO ’s mine countermeasures mission, SNMCMG1, succeeding German Commander Beata Krol. 🇩🇪 🇧🇪

1 / 4 "It is an honor for #Liège to rekindle its #tradition with the #Navy." 🏫 Those were the words of Mr. Demeyer, the Mayor of Liège, who welcomed the Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Tanguy Botman, to the magnificent City Hall earlier today. @com-belgiannavy.bsky.social

|COASTAL PATROL VESSEL CASTOR| PT 2 1/ 🌉 Le Castor : un pont entre intérêts civils et militaires Sa récente mission dans les eaux britanniques illustre une superbe collaboration maritime.

|COASTAL PATROL VESSEL CASTOR| PT 2 1/ 🌉De Castor: Brug tussen civiel en militair De recente missie van het patrouilleschip Castor in Britse wateren toont hoe militaire en civiele belangen samenkomen. Een mooi voorbeeld van samenwerking op zee!

1️⃣ 🚢 Belgische Marine x Duurzame Visserij Een uniek moment: voor het eerst sinds de Brexit voerde een ander land visserij-inspecties uit in Britse wateren. 🇧🇪 Belgische controleurs leidden de missie met ondersteuning van het patrouillevaartuig Castor. 🌊

1️⃣ 🚢 Marine belge x Pêche durable Un moment unique : pour la première fois depuis le Brexit, un autre pays a effectué des inspections de pêche dans les eaux britanniques. 🇧🇪 Des inspecteurs belges ont dirigé la mission, soutenus par le patrouilleur côtier Castor. 🌊