Alternative Cold War History 1994

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Belgian Navy

Belgium Navy

The Belgian Navy is the smallest service in the country by far, with only about 4,500 regular members and an equal number of reservists. Unlike their Dutch, French and British neighbors, the Belgian Naval Force (the official name until 2002) does not have a centuries old tradition of exploring the globe; but has a much shorter and humbler history. Within NATO they focus on keeping the English Channel and key ports of North West Europe clear of mines.

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Frigates

The four Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Frigates of the Wielingen class are quite modest in size and armament. At 2,200 tons with a single 100mm gun, a single Sea Sparrow air defence missile launcher (eight missiles), four Exocet anti-ship missiles and ASW weapons, these ships have limited employability in a high threat area. All are base at Zeebrugge. F 913 Ran aground in 1988 while on an exercise in Norway, as a result she was repaired in dry dock and deployed again in 1992, but was the first to suffer from the ‘Peace Dividend’ and was decommissioned sometime between 1993 and 1995 (references vary). She is still on active duty in Northern Fury.

Pennant Ship Status Location Task
F 910 Wielingen Active Tied Up
F 911 Wandelaar Active Atlantic STANAVFORLANT
F 912 Westdiep Active Atlantic
F 913 Westhinder Active Atlantic

Mine Warfare Ships

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Tripartite Class was a joint venture between Belgium, France and the Netherlands to build an affordable, robust and interoperable costal mine hunting ship using modern technology and methods. Belgium purchased 10 of these versatile little ships and bases them at Ostend. Each operates two PAP 104 Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) which hunt for mines and can either cut their cable or blow them up in place.

Pennant Name Location
M 915 Aster Ostend
M 916 Bellis Djibouti
M 917 Crocus Ostend
M 918 Dianthus North Sea
M 919 Fuchsia North Sea
M 920 Iris Channel
M 921 Lobelia Djibouti
M 922 Myosotis Channel
M 923 Narcis Ostend
M 924 Primula Channel

PAP 104.jpgM 902.gif

Aggressive (or Agile) Class is a much more traditional Ocean Minesweeper but with added high frequency sonar to allow it to hunt mines as well. They may be able to hunt and find mines but must still rely on World War One era sweeping gear to destroy the mines. They have wooden hulls and are constructed of non-magnetic materials. Built by the US in the 50’s, four of the original six vessels survive and there were two more acquired from Norway in 1966. They are based at Zeebrugge.

Pennant Name Location
M 902 Van Haverbeke North Sea
M 903 Dufour Skagerrak
M 904 DeBrouwer Zeebrugge
M 906 Breydel North Sea
M 908 Truffaut Zeebrugge
M 909 Bovesse Zeebrugge
Adjutant Class.gif

Adjutant Class also date from the 50’s. Built in Belgium with American machinery, the three remaining examples of this class, originally 18 strong, are nearing the end of their useful life. Several others remain in service after conversion to other purposes. All Three are laid up at Zeebrugge.

Pennant Name Location
M 930 Rochefort Zeebrugge
M 932 Nieuwpoort Zeebrugge
M 933 Koksijde Zeebrugge
M 484.jpg

Herstal Class Inshore Minesweepers was based on the British Ham class and also hail from the 50’s. The remaining seven are laid up in reserve at Antwerp.

Pennant Name Location
M478 Herstal Antwerp
M479 Huy Antwerp
M480 Seraing Antwerp
M482 Visé Antwerp
M483 Ougrée Antwerp
M484 Dinant Antwerp
M485 Andenne Antwerp