Ukrainian servicemen arrive in Belgium to master underwater drones

A group of Ukrainian military personnel arrived in Belgium on Thursday to undergo training in the operation with underwater devices.

Ludivine Dedonder, Minister of Defense of Belgium, made the announcement on Twitter.

Training of servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in this country will take place within the framework of the European Union EUMAM training mission.

“Today we welcome Ukrainian soldiers in Belgium as part of the EUMAM mission. They will undergo training on underwater systems, which Belgium transferred to Ukraine. I expressed my deep support to them and welcomed the courage they have shown for almost a year,” she said.

It should be recalled that last November, Ludivine Dedonder said that Belgium would transfer modern equipment, in particular underwater drones, to Ukraine.

“By the end of May (2023 – ed.), 10 underwater drones manufactured by the Belgian company ECA Robotics Belgium will be delivered to Ukraine,” Dedonder said.

However, the exact type of underwater vehicle was not reported.

Subsequently, the Navy Recognition website, citing its own sources, said that Belgium would transfer R7 remotely controlled underwater vehicles to Ukraine. They are compact and easy to use.

R7 Remotely Operated Vehicle designed for oceanographers, hydrographs and for work with underwater structures.

The remotely controlled vehicle is capable of operating at depths of up to 300 meters on a variety of missions, including inspection, observation, maintenance and restoration of underwater facilities.

The device can be equipped with a manipulator with five functions, becoming multifunctional. The R7 drone can easily handle or lift objects weighing up to 2 kg to the surface.

At the end of January, Belgium approved the largest military aid package for Ukraine. The Armed Forces of Ukraine will receive weapons worth 90 million euros, including air-to-air missiles AIM-120 AMRAAM, which in particular can be used as anti-aircraft missiles as part of the NASAMS system.