Naval Group and Kership Select ABC and FN Herstal As Key Suppliers for the Belgium and Netherlands Mine Counter Measures Program

ABC and FN Herstal have been selected as strategic suppliers for the mine counter measures vessels built by Kership Shipyard for Naval Group to the benefit of the Belgian and Royal Netherlands Navies.

Two strategic Belgian companies, ABC and FN Herstal, have been selected to provide equipment for the twelve mine counter measures vessels (MCMV) equipped with drone systems (Toolbox) of the Mine counter measures program for the Belgian and Royal Netherlands Navies led by Belgium Naval & Robotics – Naval Group and ECA Group consortium. FN Herstal and ABC will deliver critical capabilities of the vessels, respectively in the domain of combat system and propulsion.

FN Herstal is a Belgian company based in the Walloon Region, and is a world leader in designing, developing and manufacturing small arms, integrated weapon systems and associated ammunition for the Defense and Security markets. FN Herstal will equip the 12 MCMV with Sea deFNder® Remote Weapon Stations featuring 12.7mm FN® M2HB-QCB machine guns.

These remote weapon stations provide optimized remote firing capability day and night and offers high firing rate while keeping the operator completely safe.

Specifically dedicated to naval forces, this state-of-the-art equipment is perfectly suited to fulfil a large range of missions at sea, such as anti-piracy, anti-terrorism, maritime traffic interception, and surveillance of territorial waters. It constitutes a highly valuable asset for any armed fleet seeking high performance, striking power and efficiency.

“We are proud to equip the 12 vessels of the Belgian and the Royal Netherlands Navies with our leading product, the Sea deFNder®”, declared Nicolas de Gottal, VP Sales FN Herstal. “This contract is an additional strategic opportunity for the Group to be part of a European partnership program, and will consolidate our position among world leading weapon systems integrators.”

Based in Ghent (East Flanders), the Anglo Belgian Corporation (ABC) is one of the leading manufacturers of medium speed engines. ABC has over 100 years of expertise in developing medium speed diesel engines and generating sets for propulsion of different kinds of vessels such as offshore patrol vessels, Navy- and offshore support vessels, research vessels, frigates, submarine towing-and rescue ships and diving support vessels but also for diverse civilian applications. They will equip each of the 12 MCMV with 3 power generators per ship which represents 36 generator sets in total.

“Our equipments are specifically designed and manufactured to withstand the toughest sea states. It is an important success for our teams, which highlights our 100 years of expertise”, added Tim Berckmoes Anglo Belgian Corporation CEO.

As key partners, ABC and FN Herstal teams will contribute to the development, production and delivery of the MCMV. They will be involved throughout the whole industrial process and will participate to the sea trials and to the crew’s training.

“We are proud to be partnering with Belgian companies that are experts in their fields. These important partnerships constitute an additional success for the Mine counter measures vessel program. It is another proof that this program is offering many opportunities for fruitful cooperation with the Belgian industry”, concluded Eric Perrot, Naval Group Programme Director