Ukraine Receives Fifth Mine-Clearing Warship from Netherlands, Named Henichesk
On June 15, 2026, Ukraine’s Navy took delivery of the former Dutch minehunter Zr.Ms. Makkum, renamed Henichesk, under the Maritime Capabilities Coalition. The ceremony, attended by naval commanders from the Netherlands, Belgium, Romania, Lithuania, and Latvia, marked the fifth Western-built mine countermeasure vessel transferred to Ukraine. The ship features advanced sonar and remotely operated vehicles for mine disposal. Due to Türkiye’s enforcement of the Montreux Convention, the vessel remains based in the UK and cannot enter the Black Sea during the conflict. It will support post-war mine clearance and participate in Exercise Sea Breeze 2027.
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Ukraine takes delivery of Dutch Alkmaar-class minehunter
Ukraine has taken delivery of an Alkmaar-class mine countermeasure vessel from the Netherlands, as part of the Maritime Capabilities Coalition. The vessel, now named Henichesk, was transferred during an official ceremony attended by senior naval officers from several European nations. Ukrainian Navy Commander Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa raised the Ukrainian naval ensign on board and thanked the Dutch crew for maintaining the ship in excellent condition. With this addition, the Ukrainian Navy's fleet of mine countermeasure vessels now stands at five, following previous transfers of Sandown-class and Alkmaar-class ships from the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands. However, due to the Montreux Convention enforced by Turkey since 2022, the vessel cannot enter the Black Sea until the ongoing conflict ends. The Alkmaar-class ships are 51.5 meters long, displace over 543 tonnes, and are equipped with advanced mine-hunting systems including Atlas Elektronik's integrated mine countermeasure system and Thales sonar.
Naval TechnologyUkraine takes delivery of Dutch Alkmaar-class minehunter
Ukraine has officially taken delivery of an Alkmaar-class mine countermeasure vessel from the Netherlands, named Henichesk, as part of the Maritime Capabilities Coalition. The transfer was announced in April and marked by a ceremony attended by senior naval officers from several European nations. Ukrainian Navy Commander Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa raised the Ukrainian ensign on the vessel and thanked the Dutch crew for maintaining it in excellent condition. With this addition, Ukraine's mine countermeasure fleet now totals five vessels, including earlier transfers from the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands. However, due to the Montreux Convention enforced by Turkey since 2022, the vessel cannot enter the Black Sea while the conflict continues. The Alkmaar-class ships are 51.5 meters long, displace over 543 tonnes, and are equipped with advanced mine-hunting systems including Atlas Elektronik's integrated system and Thales sonar.
Naval TechnologyUkraine receives ex-Dutch Alkmaar-class minehunter Henichesk
The Ukrainian Navy has taken delivery of the former Royal Netherlands Navy minehunter HNLMS Makkum, now renamed Henichesk. Vice Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa announced the transfer on June 15, 2026, after a ceremony attended by naval representatives from the Netherlands, Belgium, Romania, Lithuania, and Latvia. The transfer was conducted under the Maritime Capability Coalition. Henichesk is the fifth Western-built mine countermeasures vessel transferred to Ukraine, following previous transfers from the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The vessel is named after a Ukrainian minesweeper lost in 2022 and the occupied city of Henichesk. Due to Türkiye's enforcement of the Montreux Convention, the ship remains based in the UK and cannot currently enter the Black Sea. It is expected to participate in Exercise Sea Breeze in 2027 and will support post-war mine clearance in Ukrainian waters.
Naval NewsUkraine receives ex-Dutch Alkmaar-class minehunter Henichesk
The Ukrainian Navy has taken delivery of the former Royal Netherlands Navy minehunter HNLMS Makkum, now named Henichesk, as announced by Vice Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa on June 15, 2026. The transfer occurred under the Maritime Capability Coalition and was attended by senior naval representatives from multiple countries including the Netherlands, Belgium, Romania, Lithuania, and Latvia. Henichesk is the fifth Western-built mine countermeasures vessel transferred to Ukraine, joining UK-provided Sandown-class vessels and Belgian/Dutch Tripartite-class vessels. The ship was decommissioned by the Netherlands in November 2024 after four decades of service. Due to Türkiye's enforcement of the Montreux Convention wartime provisions, the vessel remains based in the UK and cannot currently enter the Black Sea. However, it allows Ukrainian crew training and NATO integration. The vessel is expected to participate in Exercise Sea Breeze 2027 and will support post-war mine clearance in Ukrainian waters.
Naval NewsUkraine receives ex-Dutch Alkmaar-class minehunter Henichesk
The Ukrainian Navy has taken delivery of the former Royal Netherlands Navy minehunter HNLMS Makkum, now renamed Henichesk. Commander of the Ukrainian Navy Vice Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa announced the transfer on June 15, 2026, following a ceremony where the Ukrainian naval ensign was raised. The transfer was conducted under the Maritime Capability Coalition, with senior naval representatives from the Netherlands, Belgium, Romania, Lithuania, and Latvia in attendance. Henichesk is the fifth Western-built mine countermeasures vessel transferred to Ukraine. The ship is named after a Ukrainian minesweeper lost in 2022 and the occupied city of Henichesk. Ukrainian personnel trained on the vessel in Vlissingen. The vessel remains based in the UK due to Türkiye's enforcement of the Montreux Convention, which restricts passage of belligerent warships through the Turkish Straits. It is expected to participate in Exercise Sea Breeze in 2027 and will support post-war mine clearance in Ukrainian waters.
Naval NewsUkraine Receives Fifth Mine-Clearing Warship from Netherlands, Names It Henichesk
On June 15, 2026, Ukraine's Navy announced the transfer of the Alkmaar-class minehunter Zr.Ms. Makkum from the Netherlands under the Maritime Capabilities Coalition. The vessel was renamed Henichesk, honoring a Ukrainian minesweeper sunk by Russian cruise missiles in June 2022 while covering special forces withdrawal near the Kinburn Spit. This is Ukraine's fifth mine countermeasure vessel, transferred by the UK, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The ship features non-magnetic fiberglass hull, modern sonar, and remotely operated underwater vehicles for mine disposal. Vice Admiral Oleksii Neizhpapa raised the Ukrainian flag aboard the vessel in a ceremony attended by commanders from the Netherlands, Belgium, Romania, Lithuania, and Latvia. The transfer is part of a coalition of over 20 states established in December 2023 to rebuild Ukraine's naval capabilities for Black Sea security. The Black Sea remains heavily mined due to Russian operations.
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