Tripartite-class minehunter

The Tripartite class is a class of minehunters developed from an agreement between the navies of Belgium, France and the Netherlands. A total of 35 ships were constructed for the three navies. The class was constructed in the 1980s–1990s in all three countries, using a mix of minehunting, electrical and propulsion systems from the three member nations. In France, where they are known as the Éridan class they are primarily used as minehunters, but have been used for minesweeping and ammunition transport in Belgium and the Netherlands, where the Tripartites are known as the Alkmaar class.

French Tripartite minehunter Céphée
Class overview
Name: Tripartite class
Operators:
Subclasses:
  • Éridan class
  • Alkmaar class
  • Munsif class
  • Pulau Rengat class
Built: 1977–1995
In commission: 1983–present
Planned: 60
Completed: 40
Cancelled: 20
Active: 23
Laid up: 6
General characteristics of French ships as built
Type: Minehunter
Displacement:
  • 571 t (562 long tons)
  • 605 t (595 long tons) full load
Length: 51.6 m (169 ft 3 in)
Beam: 8.9 m (29 ft 2 in)
Draught: 3.8 m (12 ft 6 in)
Propulsion:
Speed: 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Range: 3,000 nmi (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried:		 2 × PAP 104
Complement: 55
Sensors and
processing systems:
  • 1 × DUBM 21B sonar
  • 1 × Decca 1229 navigation radar
Armament:

In 1992, the Pakistan Navy acquired three vessels from France, one that was already built, one to be built in France and one built in France and Pakistan. Known as the Munsif class, all three are still in service. The Indonesian Navy acquired two minehunters in the 1990s from the Dutch to a modified design. Known as the Pulau Rengat class, the two ships are still in service. In 1997, France purchased three of the Belgian vessels. In 2007, the Latvian Naval Forces acquired five ships from the Netherlands which had been taken out of service at the beginning of the decade. The Bulgarian Navy acquired a former Belgian minehunter in 2007. The Netherlands and Belgium had a competition in 2018 to build a replacement class for their Tripartite/Alkmaar-class ships.

Design and development

A joint venture of the navies of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, the Tripartite class of minehunters were a follow on design to the French Circé-class minesweepers. All three nations would build their own hulls while each country was responsible for a different aspect of the vessels; France provided the minehunting and electronic systems, the Netherlands provided the main propulsion systems and Belgium supplied the minehunting propulsion system as well as the electrical generating systems. Each country intended to order 15 of the vessels, with Belgium's initial order being 10 with the option of 5 more. However, France cut their initial order to ten due to budgetary reasons.[1]

France
Sagittaire (fore) with USS Sentry and HMS Shoreham in the Persian Gulf

In France the class is known as the Éridan class. Each hull was created from fibreglass, moulded in a steel shell. The hulls were 51.6 metres (169 ft 3 in) long overall with a beam of 8.9 metres (29 ft 2 in) and a draught of 3.8 metres (12 ft 6 in). The ships had a standard displacement of 571 tonnes (562 long tons) and 605 t (595 long tons) at full load.[1][2] This later increased to 625 t (615 long tons) at full load.[2] A 5.1 tonnes (5 long tons) container can be stored aboard the ships for additional supply room. The minehunters had an initial complement of 55,[1] this was later reduced to 49.[2]

The Éridan-class minehunters have two independent propulsion systems. In normal operations the minehunters are powered by a 1,400-kilowatt (1,900 bhp) Brons-Werkspoor (later Wärtsilä) A-RUB 215V-12 diesel engine turning one shaft with a LIPS controllable pitch propeller. Using the conventional system, the minehunters have a maximum speed of 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) and a range of 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph).[1][2] For use when minehunting the vessels have two 180 kW (240 hp) ACEC active rudders and a bow thruster. These are energised by three Astazou IVB gas turbine alternators rated at 150 kW. A fourth diesel-driven alternator rated at 160 kW supplies power during normal operations. Both systems can be operated from the bridge or from a soundproof control centre above the main deck. The maximum speed using the minehunting propulsion system that can be achieved is 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph).[1]

The minehunters were equipped with DUBM 21B sonar that could detect and classify ground and moored mines to a range of 80 metres (260 ft). The sonar was retracted during normal operations. The vessel was also equipped with Racal Decca 1229 radar. The vessels carried two ECA PAP 104 remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs). In 2001, the minesweepers underwent modernisation and the sonar was replaced with the TUS 2022 Mk III type, the radar with the Bridgemaster E250 type and a TSM 2061 combat data system and a Bofors Double Eagle Mk2 ROV were fitted.[3][2]

The Éridan class is armed with one 20 mm modèle F2 gun capable of firing 720 rounds per minute to a range of 2 kilometres (1.2 mi). The minehunters also mount one 12.7 mm (0.5 in) machine gun and two 7.62 mm (0.30 in) machine guns.[2] The French vessels have limited minesweeping ability and were initially only fitted with mechanical sweep gear. In 1985, the Éridan class received AP4 acoustic sweep gear.[4]

Ships in class (France)

The initial order of ten was constructed for the French Navy in the 1980s by the Arsenal de Lorient. After the sale of Sagittaire to Pakistan in 1992, a replacement hull bearing the same name and hull number was constructed. Three Belgian versions of the class were acquired between March and August 1997.[2]

Éridan class[2][5]
Pennant no. Name Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
M 641 Éridan Arsenal de Lorient, Lorient, France 20 December 1977 2 February 1979 16 April 1984 Decommissioned in 2018
M 642 Cassiopée 26 March 1979 26 September 1981 5 May 1984
M 643 Andromède 6 March 1980 22 May 1982 18 October 1984
M 644 Pégase 22 December 1980 23 April 1983 30 May 1985
M 645 Orion 17 August 1981 6 February 1985 14 January 1986
M 646 Croix du Sud 22 April 1982 6 February 1985 14 November 1986
M 647 L'Aigle[6] 2 December 1982 8 March 1986 1 July 1987
M 648 Lyre 13 October 1983 14 November 1986 16 December 1987
M 649 Persée 30 October 1984 19 April 1988 4 November 1988 Decommissioned in August 2009
M 650 Sagittaire (1989) 13 November 1985 9 November 1988 28 July 1989 Sold to Pakistan in 1992, renamed Munsif.[7]
M 650 Sagittaire (1996) 1 February 1993 14 January 1995 2 April 1996 Replacement for Sagittaire (1989).
M 651 Verseau Béliard Shipyard, Ostend and Rupelmonde, Belgium 20 May 1986 21 June 1987 Former Belgian Iris, decommissioned in February 2010
M 652 Céphée 28 October 1985 23 October 1987 Former Belgian Fuchsia
M 653 Capricorne 17 April 1985 26 February 1987 Former Belgian Dianthus

Belgium
Primula

Originally ten ships were ordered for the Belgian Navy, with the option for five more that was never activated. The Polyship consortium was organised to direct the building programme, however the consortium was dissolved, leading to delays in the construction of the minehunters. This led to the vessels being reordered this time from Béliard Shipyard, which constructed the hulls at their yard in Ostend, Belgium before completing the minehunters at Rupelmonde. Differences between the Belgian and French versions of the class include a smaller displacement at 519 tonnes (511 long tons) standard and 574 tonnes (565 long tons) at full load. They are equipped with an Atlas Elektronik IMCMS combat data system. When minehunting, the Belgian vessels carry six divers and can have a portable decompression chamber installed abaft the forecastle break.[8]

All vessels in the class are named after flowers and are thus sometimes called the "Flower" or Aster class.[8][9] In 2001 the remaining Belgian minehunters had their engines upgraded. All remaining Belgian vessels have undergone an extensive upgrade during 2004–2008 involving replacement of the anti-mine warfare equipment. This included receiving the same sonar package as the French versions. The complement of the Belgian ships varies between 33 and 46 depending on mission.[9]

Ships in class (Belgium)

In 1993, three of the vessels (Iris, Fuschia and Dianthus) were paid off and laid up until being sold in 1997 to France. Crocus was modified into an ammunition transfer vessel the same year.[8][9] Myosotis was converted to an ammunition transport before being taken out of service in 2004 and was sold to Bulgaria in 2009.[10]

Tripartite class[11][12]
Pennant no. Name Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
M 915 Aster Béliard Shipyard, Ostend and Rupelmonde, Belgium 24 February 1983 6 June 1985 16 December 1985
M 916 Bellis 15 February 1984 14 February 1986 13 August 1986
M 917 Crocus 15 October 1984 5 September 1986 5 July 1987
M 918 Dianthus 17 April 1985 26 February 1987 14 August 1987 Laid up 1993, sold to France 1997
M 919 Fuschia 28 October 1985 23 October 1987 18 February 1988 Laid up 1993, sold to France 1997
M 920 Iris 20 May 1986 21 June 1987 6 October 1988 Laid up 1993, sold to France 1997
M 921 Lobelia 27 November 1986 25 February 1988 8 July 1989
M 922 Myosotis 6 July 1987 4 August 1988 14 December 1989 Converted to ammunition transport. Taken out of service in 2004 and sold to Bulgaria in 2009.
M 923 Narcis 22 February 1988 30 March 1990 27 September 1990
M 924 Primula 7 November 1988 17 December 1990 29 May 1991

Netherlands
HNLMS Schiedam

In the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Tripartites are known as the Alkmaar class. The Alkmaars were originally of similar design to the Belgian and French versions, with a standard displacement of 520 tonnes (510 long tons) and 553 tonnes (544 long tons) at full load.[13] The displacement later increased to 571 tonnes (562 long tons) standard and 605 tonnes (595 long tons) at full load[14] and then 630 tonnes (620 long tons) standard and 660 tonnes (650 long tons) at full load.[15] The 20 mm gun that was initially mounted was removed, leaving only three 12.7 mm machine guns. Beginning in 2003, the remaining Dutch Alkmaar-class minehunters were upgraded with improved electronics, including Atlas Elektronik INCMS combat data system, Thales 2022 Mk III hull-mounted sonar, Atlas Seafox Mine Identification and Disposal System and a Double Eagle Mk III Mod 1 ROV.[13][15]

The minehunters were constructed at the Van der Giessen-de-Noord yard in Amsterdam, a specially constructed site completed in 1978. Middelburg and Hellevoetsluis were optioned by Egypt, but due to financial issues, were instead completed for the Royal Netherlands Navy.[14] Two ships of a modified design were built for the Indonesian Navy which led to the delay of Vlaardingen and Willemstad's construction.[15]

Ships in class (Netherlands)

In 2000, three ships (Alkmaar, Delfzijl and Dordrecht) were withdrawn from service, followed by two more (Harlingen and Scheveningen) in 2003. All five were sold to Latvia with handovers beginning in 2007.[16] Four more ships, (Haarlem, Maasluis, Middelburg and Hellevoetsluis) were decommissioned in 2011 following a series of deep budget cuts to the navy.[17] Two of them (Maasluis and Hellevoetsluis) were sold to Bulgaria with handovers in 2020.

Alkmaar class[18][14]
Pennant no. Name Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
M 850 Alkmaar Van der Giessen-de-Noord, Amsterdam, Netherlands 30 January 1979 18 May 1982 28 May 1983 Decommissioned in 2000, sold to Latvia
M 851 Delfzijl 29 May 1980 29 October 1982 17 August 1983 Decommissioned in 2000, sold to Latvia
M 852 Dordrecht 5 January 1981 26 February 1983 16 November 1983 Decommissioned in 2000, sold to Latvia
M 853 Haarlem 16 June 1981 6 May 1983 12 June 1984 Decommissioned in 2011
M 854 Harlingen 30 November 1981 9 July 1983 12 April 1984 Decommissioned 2003, sold to Latvia
M 855 Scheveningen 24 May 1982 2 December 1983 18 July 1984 Decommissioned 2003, sold to Latvia
M 856 Maasluis 7 November 1982 5 May 1984 12 December 1984 Decommissioned in 2011, sold to Bulgaria
M 857 Makkum 25 February 1983 27 September 1984 13 May 1985
M 858 Middelburg 11 July 1983 23 February 1985 10 December 1986 Decommissioned in 2011
M 859 Hellevoetsluis 12 December 1983 18 July 1985 20 February 1987 Decommissioned in 2011, sold to Bulgaria
M 860 Schiedam 6 May 1984 20 December 1985 9 July 1986
M 861 Urk 1 October 1984 2 May 1986 10 December 1986
M 862 Zierikzee 25 February 1985 4 October 1986 7 May 1987
M 863 Vlaardingen 6 May 1986 4 August 1988 15 March 1989
M 864 Willemstad 3 October 1986 27 January 1989 20 September 1989

Export

Bulgaria

The Bulgarian Navy acquired one Tripartite-class minehunter from Belgium in 2007 and two from the Netherlands in 2019. The ex-Myosotis was transferred in 2009 and renamed Tsibar. [10] The ex-Maasluis and ex-Hellevoetsluis were transferred in 2020 and renamed Mesta and Struma, respectively.

Indonesia
KRI Pulau Rengat

The Indonesian Navy ordered two minehunters based on the Alkmaar class from the Netherlands on 29 March 1985.[19] Known as the Pulau Rengat class, the vessels have a standard displacement of 520 tonnes (510 long tons) and 594 tonnes (585 long tons) at full load. They have a different layout than European Tripartite minehunters due to their mission profile being larger, with the vessels intended to operate as minehunters, minesweepers and patrol ships. For conventional missions the vessels are powered by two MTU 12V 396 TCD91 diesel engines turning one shaft with a LIPS controllable pitch propeller rated at 1,400 kilowatts (1,900 hp) for a maximum speed of 15.5 knots (28.7 km/h; 17.8 mph). The minehunters are also equipped with two 56-kilowatt (75 hp) bow thrusters and two retractable Schottel 89-kilowatt (120 hp) rudder propellers energised by three Turbomecca gas turbine generators. Using the auxiliary propulsion system, the Pulau Rengat class has a maximum speed of 7 knots (13 km/h; 8.1 mph). They have a range of 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 km; 4,000 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).[19][20]

The Pulau Rengat class mounts two Rheinmetall 20 mm guns and have the capability to have Matra Simbad surface-to-air missile launchers installed or a third 20 mm gun. The Pulau Rengats are equipped with OD3 Oropesa mechanical sweep gear, Fiskar F82 magnetic sweep and SA Marine AS 203 acoustic sweep gear for minesweeping duties. They also have an Ibis V minehunting system and two PAP 104 Mk 4 mine disposal systems along with the Signaal SEWACCO-RI combat data system, Racal Decca AC 1229C radar and Thomson Sintra TSM 2022 sonar. The ships have a complement of 46.[19]

Ships in class (Indonesia)

Initially, Indonesia intended to order ten hulls. However, funds were lacking and only two were built. The first was ordered on 29 March 1985 and the second on 30 August 1985. The two ships were initially part of the Royal Netherlands Navy production and were given Dutch names. They were renamed upon sale to Indonesia.[20]

Pulau Rengat class[19]
Pennant no. Name Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
711 Pulau Rengat (ex-Willemstad) Van der Giesen-de-Noord, Amsterdam, Netherlands 22 July 1985 23 July 1987 26 March 1988 In service
712 Pulau Rupat (ex-Vlaardingen) 15 December 1985 27 August 1987 26 March 1988 In service

Latvia
Imanta in Belfast

In 2007, the Latvian Naval Forces acquired five Alkmaar-class minehunters (Alkmaar, Delfzijl, Dordrecht, Harlingen and Scheveningen) from the Royal Netherlands Navy. These five use the Signaal Sewaaco IX combat data system and the Thomson Sintra DUBM 21A sonar. Harlingen was the first handed over and renamed Imanta on 6 March 2007, followed by Scheveningen on 5 September 2007 which was renamed Viesturs. Dordrecht was handed over in January 2008 and renamed Tālivaldis and Delfzijl in October 2008 and renamed Visvaldis. Alkmaar was the last to transfer in June 2009 and was renamed Rūsiņš.[16] In 2020, the Latvian Naval Forces signed contract with ECA Group for the modernization of three of its Alkmaar-class minehunters, replacing the conventional detection system based on a hull sonar for mines with a smaller unmanned system consisting of the underwater drones AUV A18-M for detection and underwater robots Seascan MK2 and K-STER C for identification and clearance of the mines.

Pakistan

On 17 January 1992, Pakistan signed an agreement with France acquiring three Éridan-class minehunters, one of which was already built, one to be constructed in France and the third in Pakistan. Sagittaire, which was on duty in the Persian Gulf, sailed to Pakistan in November 1992. In Pakistan Navy service, the three ships have Elesco MKR 400 acoustic sweep and MKR 960 magnetic sweeps for minesweeping duties.[21]

Ships in class (Pakistan)

The class is known as the Munsif class in Pakistan Navy service. The first of the class Munsif sailed to Pakistan from the Persian Gulf. The second, Muhafiz was delivered in April 1996 and the third was carried aboard a transporter ship in April 1995 to be completed in Pakistan.[21]

Munsif class[21][22]
Pennant no. Name Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned Status
M166 Munsif (ex-Sagittaire) Arsenal de Lorient, Lorient, France 13 November 1985 9 November 1988 26 October 1992 In service
M163 Muhafiz 8 July 1995 15 May 1996 In service
M164 Mujahid Arsenal de Lorient/ Karachi Naval Dockyard, Karachi, Pakistan 28 January 1997 9 July 1998 In service

Successor

The Netherlands and Belgium

The Netherlands and Belgium are doing a joint procurement for the replacements of the Tripartite-class/Alkmaar-class minehunters. Both countries want to procure six new mine countermeasure (MCM) vessels, which makes for a total of 12 MCM ships. The new MCM ships will include a range of unmanned systems including unmanned surface, aerial and underwater vehicles alongside towed sonars and mine identification and neutralization ROVs.[23]

Belgium gave the green-light to start the procurement on 26 January 2018 and approved a budget of 1.1 billion euros for the six Belgian MCM ships. Besides the Tripartite-class minehunters, the ships will also replace the Belgian logistical support ship Godetia.[24]

Contenders
  • The Franco-Belgium consortium made up of French shipbuilders STX France and Socarenam together with Belgium's EDR are bidding for the 12 new MCM vessels. Their plan includes the construction of MCM vessels named Sea Naval Solutions and a multi-role frigate named Deviceseas, which will serve as mothership to the MCM vessels. All ships will have a strong focus on autonomous systems operations.[25]
  • France's Naval Group and ECA Group established Belgian subsidiary Naval & Robotics and bid for the program.[26][27]

Selection

On 15 March 2019, the team led by Naval Group was selected to produce the 12 new vessels.[26][27]

See also

Citations
  1. Gardiner, Chumbley & Budzbon 1995, p. 131.
  2. Saunders 2009, p. 266.
  3. Gardiner, Chumbley & Budzbon 1995, pp. 131–132.
  4. Gardiner, Chumbley & Budzbon 1995, p. 132.
  5. Sharpe 1991, pp. 46, 197.
  6. "L'Aigle (M 647)". Marine nationale (in French). Ministère des Armées, Paris. Archived from the original on 13 June 2018. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  7. "Sagittaire (M 650)". French Navy. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 15 July 2015.
  8. Gardiner, Chumbley & Budzbon 1995, p. 27.
  9. Saunders 2009, p. 64.
  10. Saunders 2009, p. 93.
  11. Saunders 2009, pp. 64, 93.
  12. Sharpe 1991, pp. 46.
  13. Gardiner, Chumbley & Budzbon 1995, p. 283.
  14. Sharpe 1991, p. 403.
  15. Saunders 2009, p. 554.
  16. Saunders 2009, p. 480.
  17. Waters 2011, p. 89.
  18. Saunders 2009, pp. 480, 554.
  19. Saunders 2009, p. 363.
  20. Gardiner, Chumbley & Budzbon 1995, p. 182.
  21. Saunders 2009, p. 588.
  22. Gardiner, Chumbley & Budzbon 1995, p. 301.
  23. "Belgium OKs acquisition of six new mine countermeasure vessels". navaltoday.com. 29 January 2018. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  24. Karremann, Jaime (27 January 2018). "Groen licht voor aanschaf zes nieuwe mijnenjagers voor België" [Green light for the purchase of six new mine hunters for Belgium]. marineschepen.nl (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  25. "STX France, EDR, Socarenam team for Belgian mine countermeasure project". navaltoday.com. 31 January 2018. Archived from the original on 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
  26. "France's Naval Group clinches Belgian-Dutch minehunter replacement contract". Naval Today. 15 March 2019. Archived from the original on 15 March 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  27. Scott, Richard (15 March 2019). "Naval Group team selected for BE/NL MCM programme". Jane's 360. London. Archived from the original on 15 March 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.

References
  • Gardiner, Robert; Chumbley, Stephen & Budzbon, Przemysław, eds. (1995). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-132-7.
  • Saunders, Stephen, ed. (2009). Jane's Fighting Ships 2009–2010 (112 ed.). Alexandria, Virginia: Jane's Information Group Inc. ISBN 0-7106-2888-9.
  • Sharpe, Richard, ed. (1991). Jane's Fighting Ships 1991–92 (94 ed.). Surrey, United Kingdom: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 0-7106-0960-4.
  • Waters, Conrad, ed. (2011). Seaforth World Naval Review 2012. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84832-1205.


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