The Belgian Navy has held a keel-laying ceremony for the third coastal patrol vessel, Vega, at French shipyard Socarenam.
As informed, the ceremony for the ship took place in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, on March 26, 2025. This marks an important milestone in the expansion and modernization of the Belgian Navy’s fleet.
The laying of the keel officially marks the beginning of the construction of a ship. During the ceremony, as per tradition, a coin was welded into the keel, a symbolic ritual believed to bring good luck and ensure a safe voyage for the future ship.
Patrol vessels contribute to crucial missions such as maritime surveillance, fisheries control, environmental protection, and the fight against smuggling and illegal activities at sea.
According to Admiral Tanguy Botman , Commander of the Navy, the arrival of this vessel is a logical and necessary reinforcement.
“The Navy is committed to remaining operational at all times, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In view of geopolitical developments, but also international cooperation and increasing multifunctional tasks, this third CPV ( Coastal Patrol Vessel ) is crucial to achieving our responsibilities in terms of security at sea,” he said.
Vega, like coastal patrol vessels Castor and Pollux, will be equipped with navigation systems and equipment adapted to the Belgian Navy’s increasingly complex tasks.
Construction of the patrol vessel is expected to be completed in 2027.
To remind, at the beginning of this year, Socarenam, together with compatriot firm Mauric, received a contract to design and build an “innovative” offshore patrol vessel for France.