The Organization for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR), a European intergovernmental organization that facilitates and manages collaborative armament programs, has delivered the first maritime mine countermeasures (MMCM) system to the United Kingdom (UK).
This technology is expected to ultimately allow the rapid destruction of sea mines in “a more cost-effective and safer manner” than in the past.
As disclosed, the first milestone was reached in 2021 with the delivery of two prototypes/demonstrators to France and the UK shortly after its production launch.
OCCAR said the UK’s Royal Navy has been trained and is now ready to further develop the new concept, using this technology of drones remotely controlled from a portable operation center.
This first capability will, reportedly, allow the Royal Navy to conduct operations in complex environments including uncrewed sonar survey missions up to sea state 4 to maintain the precise mapping of the sea floor.
OCCAR noted that the capability to conduct identification and then training of mine neutralization at sea is also provided with the delivery of the dedicated remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
To remind, OCCAR delivered the first MMCM system to France in December 2024.