Netherlands Navy HNLMS Vlaardingen Retired

The Alkmaar-class (Tripartite) minehunter HNLMS Vlaardingen (M863) left Dutch service on 26 June 2025 when she was handed over to the Ukrainian Navy at the Belgian naval base in Zeebrugge, alongside the Belgian minehunter BNS Narcis, Naval News reported. Ukrainian crews had trained with Belgian and Dutch instructors before the transfer, which was announced only after the ceremony for security reasons; the Dutch Defence Minister attended. In Ukrainian service the ship became Melitopol, named after a city under Russian occupation, and is intended to help clear mines from the approaches to Odesa and other Black Sea ports. Her sister Makkum followed in 2026 as Henichesk.