Belgian Navy Deploys Shore-Based Drone Control for Mine Countermeasures Vessel Oostende.

Belgium’s Ministry of Defence announced on February 17, 2026, that the new mine countermeasures vessel Oostende has introduced a containerized shore-based control center for unmanned mine warfare systems. The capability allows Belgium to direct surface, underwater, and aerial drones from land, strengthening NATO mine warfare readiness while reducing operational risk to crews.

The Belgian Ministry of Defence confirmed on February 17, 2026, that the induction of the mine countermeasures vessel Oostende marks a major milestone in the Belgian Navy’s modernization, highlighted by the deployment of a containerized mobile control center capable of commanding unmanned surface, underwater, and aerial systems directly from shore. Recently validated in Zeebruges, the concept enables operators to conduct full-spectrum mine countermeasures without sending a ship to sea, effectively projecting naval mine warfare capability from a modular land-based installation. The development signals the operational maturation of the Belgian-Dutch Mine Countermeasures program, a flagship NATO effort to replace legacy minehunters with highly automated, drone-centric platforms designed to operate in contested littorals.
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Operators control unmanned mine warfare systems from a containerized shore-based command post in Zeebruges, operating Exail’s Inspector 125 unmanned surface vehicle as part of the new modular mine countermeasures architecture. (Picture source: Belgian MoD)

At the center of this transformation is a containerized toolbox configured as a fully operational command post. Inside, naval personnel operate from consoles almost identical to those installed aboard the new generation of mine countermeasures vessels. This deliberate design choice ensures procedural continuity between sea-based and shore-based missions, significantly shortening training cycles and enhancing operational safety. The standardized human-machine interface reduces friction when transitioning crews from shipboard deployments to land-based drone missions, a critical factor during high-risk mine-neutralization tasks.

The system's technological backbone relies on Exail’s Inspector 125 uncrewed surface vehicle. This autonomous platform is engineered to navigate hazardous waters while carrying and deploying multiple unmanned underwater vehicles for detection and identification tasks. Equipped with advanced sonar payloads, these subsea drones can classify seabed anomalies with high precision before neutralization assets are deployed. Aerial drones complement the system by scanning for floating or tethered mines, extending surveillance coverage across the water column. By integrating surface, subsurface, and aerial assets into a unified control architecture, the Belgian Navy is building a layered, resilient mine countermeasures ecosystem.

Commander du Bus de Warnaffe, head of the Mine Countermeasures Module Group, highlighted the operational value of this modularity during the recent trials. “Modularity allows us to use the same capability from a ship, from the quay, or even in a foreign port,” he stated. His comment underscores a doctrinal shift: the command function is no longer tied exclusively to the hull of a dedicated minehunter. Instead, Belgium is adopting a distributed approach that preserves fleet availability while maintaining constant readiness.

The January tests in Zeebruges evaluated not only the drones themselves but also the establishment of a secure temporary operational compound. Belgian Army engineering units contributed expertise in establishing protected perimeters and supporting infrastructure, illustrating the inter-service cooperation required for modern naval missions. Within the containerized command post, operators refined communication link configurations and antenna alignments to ensure stable, high-bandwidth data transmission. Reliable connectivity remains a decisive requirement, particularly in congested port environments where signal interference can compromise autonomous operations.

Captain Kristof Van Belleghem, Chief of Staff of the Belgian Navy, emphasized the importance of close industry-military cooperation in bringing this capability to life. “It is important that our personnel can concretely see what this capability represents and what it looks like. The collaboration between Exail’s engineers and our operators, who immediately provide their first feedback, is truly enriching,” he noted. According to naval officials involved in the trials, this iterative feedback loop has already led to adjustments that improve system responsiveness and user ergonomics under operational conditions.

Looking ahead, the Belgian Navy plans to establish a permanent shore-based infrastructure in Zeebruges capable of continuously controlling unmanned systems in Belgian waters. A higher-capacity antenna installed on a port facility will expand operational reach and reinforce Zeebruges as a central node in the country’s evolving mine warfare network. Ultimately, the objective is to coordinate maritime surveillance and mine countermeasures activities around the clock without systematically deploying a crewed vessel.

The Mine Countermeasures Module Group itself represents a structural evolution within the Navy. Designed for full modularity, it can be deployed aboard ships, operated from containerized control posts, or operated from fixed naval bases. Operators are cross-trained in surface, underwater, and aerial drone systems, while modular explosive ordnance disposal divers maintain specialized neutralization expertise. This flexible organization reflects the technological convergence shaping modern mine warfare, where data management, remote piloting, and systems integration are as vital as traditional seamanship.

Interoperability remains a strategic priority. Belgium’s mine countermeasures program is conducted in close partnership with France and the Netherlands, with shared platforms and aligned operational concepts. Recent trials also examined integration pathways to ensure seamless cooperation during multinational NATO deployments. As additional systems enter service in the coming years, Belgium’s containerized control model could serve as a reference architecture for allied navies seeking to modernize their own mine warfare capabilities.

By combining advanced unmanned technologies, modular command infrastructure, and sustained industrial collaboration, the Belgian Navy is redefining how maritime mine threats are addressed. The containerized control post in Zeebruges is more than a support tool. It signals a transition toward distributed, technology-driven naval operations that deliver faster response times, enhanced personnel safety, and greater strategic flexibility in contested maritime environments.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.