Belgian minehunter Narcis

Narcis (M923) is a Tripartite-class minehunter of the Belgian Naval Component, launched in 1990, at the Mercantile-Belyard shipyard in Rupelmonde and christened by Mrs. Lafosse-De Backer, the wife of the then Mayor of Mons, on 14 March 1991. The patronage of Narcis was accepted by the city of Mons. It was the ninth of the Belgian Tripartite-class minehunters. The Belgian government chose to deploy the ship as part of its involvement with enforcing the Libyan no-fly zone.[1]

Narcis M923
History
Belgium
NameNarcis
NamesakeNarcissus
BuilderMercantile-Belyard Shipyard, Rupelmonde
Laid down30 March 1990
Launched27 September 1990
Christened14 March 1991
Commissioned30 March 1991
Identification
Statusin active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class and typeTripartite-class minehunter
Displacement
  • 536 t (528 long tons) empty
  • 605 t (595 long tons) full load
Length51.5 m (169 ft)
Beam8.96 m (29.4 ft)
Height18.5 m (61 ft)
Draught3.6 m (12 ft)
Propulsion
  • 1 × 1370 kW Werkspoor RUB 215 V12 diesel engine
  • 2 × 180 kW ACEC active rudders
  • 1 × HOLEC bow propeller
Speed15 knots (28 km/h)
Range3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
Boats & landing
craft carried
Complement4 officers, 15 non-commissioned officers, 17 sailors
Sensors and
processing systems
  • 1 × Thales Underwater Systems TSM 2022 Mk III Hull Mounted Sonar
  • 1 × SAAB Bofors Double Eagle Mk III Self Propelled Variable Depth Sonar
  • 1 × Consilium Selesmar Type T-250/10CM003 Radar
Armament3 × 12.7 mm machine guns

In 2024, during the Russo-Ukrainian war, it was announced that Narcis will be donated to Ukraine at some time in the future. The ship will undergo full maintenance before donation. In total 3 Tripartite class ships were announced (as of 2024) to be donated to Ukraine. Belgium will provide basic training and the Netherlands offers on-the-job training for the crews.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "230 Belgische militairen nemen deel aan operatie Odyssey Dawn". Demorgen.be. 2011-03-20. Retrieved 2011-03-20.
  2. ^ Administrator (2024-03-15). "Belgium Increases Military Aid to Ukraine with 300 Lynx Combat Vehicles & 3 Minehunter Ships | Defense News March 2024 Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army year 2024 | Archive News year". Army Recognition. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
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