January 27, 2025

Serexna consortium awarded major maintenance contract for Belgian and Dutch mine countermeasure fleets

By Defence Industry Europe

The Serexna consortium, comprising Serco, Exail Robotics Belgium, and Naval Group Belgium, has secured the 24NSPER contract to maintain the Mine Countermeasure (MCM) fleets of the Belgian and Dutch navies. This agreement spans the current fleet of MCM minehunters and the future Naval Mine Warfare Capacity vessels, which are set to integrate advanced unmanned technologies.

The next-generation MCM capabilities, being developed by Belgium Naval and Robotics—comprising Naval Group and Exail Robotics—will include aerial, surface, and underwater unmanned systems. These innovations aim to keep crews and motherships at a safe distance from hazardous zones while enabling effective detection, identification, and neutralisation of underwater mines.

The Serexna consortium brings together the complementary expertise of its partners to ensure fleet availability and sovereignty for both navies. The maintenance contract covers the transition period leading up to the delivery of the new Naval Mine Warfare Capacity, scheduled between 2025 and 2030. During this time, personnel will undergo extensive training to master the operation and upkeep of these advanced systems.

Serco, which has managed the current fleet’s maintenance, will continue to contribute with its experienced team of approximately 100 employees. Naval Group Belgium and Exail Robotics Belgium will provide technical expertise in supporting unmanned systems, including Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), ensuring a seamless transition to the new technologies.

“This contract renewal demonstrates the trust placed in Serco by the Belgian and Dutch navies,” said Arnaud Laure, Managing Director for Defence at Serco. “We are proud to continue supporting the protection of their maritime interests through our partnership.”

Steven Luys, CEO of Exail Robotics Belgium, added, “It is an honour to contribute to the enhanced mine warfare capabilities of these navies. Our cutting-edge autonomous systems and on-site maintenance expertise will be crucial for the transition to the new rMCM systems.”

Nicolas Gaspard, CEO of Naval Group Belgium, echoed these sentiments, stating, “We are grateful for the trust of Belgian Defence and are dedicated to providing top-tier services. Leveraging decades of naval maintenance expertise, we aim to develop an innovative and effective maintenance ecosystem in Zeebrugge.”