Baltic and Black Sea security converge as Belgium transfers another naval vessel to Ukraine

Support for Ukraine’s naval capabilities remains a key pillar of Euro-Atlantic security. During a recent visit by a Lithuanian delegation to Belgium, a ceremony was held to mark the transfer of another naval vessel to Ukraine, while senior naval officials from NATO member states discussed evolving security challenges in the Baltic and Black Sea regions.

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15 june 2026   |   15:08   |   Source: Gazeta Morska   |   Prepared by: Michał Iwański   |   Print

fot. Marynarka Wojenna Belgii

Commander of the Lithuanian Navy Captain Tadas Jablonskis visited Belgium with an official delegation at the invitation of the Belgian Navy. The main focus of the visit was the handover ceremony for the fifth naval vessel transferred by Belgium to the Ukrainian Navy.

Although details regarding the vessel have not been disclosed, the continued delivery of maritime assets highlights the growing importance of the naval domain in strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities.

Rebuilding Ukraine’s maritime capabilities

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has been steadily rebuilding its naval capabilities, focusing on both the development of unmanned systems and the acquisition of surface vessels from allied nations.

These efforts are crucial for safeguarding shipping routes in the Black Sea and protecting critical maritime infrastructure. Despite significant losses suffered during the early stages of the war, the Ukrainian Navy has adapted its operational approach by integrating advanced technologies and deepening cooperation with international partners.

The transfer of naval platforms by NATO member states has become an important element of Ukraine’s long-term maritime recovery strategy.

Shared challenges across two maritime theatres

The Lithuanian delegation’s visit also included bilateral and multilateral meetings involving naval representatives from Lithuania, Latvia, Romania and Belgium.

Discussions focused on the security environment in the Baltic and Black Sea regions, current maritime challenges and opportunities to strengthen regional cooperation.

In recent years, both maritime theatres have increasingly been viewed as interconnected. Lessons learned from naval operations in the Black Sea are influencing defence planning in the Baltic, particularly in areas related to the protection of ports, sea lines of communication, subsea cables and offshore energy infrastructure.

The growing number of hybrid threats and incidents involving undersea infrastructure has prompted NATO allies to intensify cooperation in monitoring and protecting critical assets.

Belgium’s next-generation mine countermeasure capabilities

During the visit, the Lithuanian delegation also toured the mine countermeasure vessel BNS Oostende. The ship is part of the new City-class programme being jointly developed by Belgium and the Netherlands.

The programme is widely regarded as one of the most advanced naval modernisation initiatives in Europe. The vessels are designed around an extensive suite of unmanned surface, underwater and aerial systems dedicated to mine detection and neutralisation.

Lithuania’s interest in BNS Oostende reflects a broader trend among NATO members to strengthen mine countermeasure capabilities in response to growing threats to maritime traffic and critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.

Maritime cooperation within NATO gains strategic importance

The meetings between Lithuanian and Belgian naval representatives demonstrate that maritime cooperation within NATO now extends well beyond traditional exercises.

Increasing emphasis is being placed on sharing expertise in protecting subsea infrastructure, integrating unmanned technologies and improving resilience against hybrid threats.

The transfer of another vessel to Ukraine and the intensification of dialogue among allied navies underline a broader reality: security in the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea is becoming increasingly interconnected. As the maritime security environment continues to evolve, cooperation among NATO navies is taking on greater strategic significance, with lessons learned in one theatre increasingly shaping operations and planning in the other.

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