Ukraine will receive two minehunters from the Netherlands to protect shipping lanes in the Black Sea.

According to RTL Nieuws, Kaisa Ollongren, Defence Minister of the Netherlands, announced this on Tuesday during her visit to Odesa.

Minehunters can detect and defuse explosive devices and protect trade routes and the coast. The Netherlands will start training Ukrainian troops to use these ships in the second half of 2023.

Minehunters protect merchant ships, ensure the safety of shipping lanes to ports, or clear an area of mines so that other naval vessels can pass through.

The Netherlands previously had 15 Alkmaar-class minehunters, most of which have been sold, and the remainder due for replacement in 2025. And Ukraine will receive them. Ukraine's Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov has already thanked Ollongren for the announced assistance.

Ukraine is a maritime state.
We will defend our Black&Azov Seas as we do our land and skies.
I'm very grateful to the 🇳🇱 people, @MinPres Mark Rutte and my colleague @DefensieMin Kajsa Ollongren for the decision to provide 2 Alkmaar-class minehunters for the @UA_NAVY!
🇺🇦🤝🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/NSSpUqaUTD

— Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) March 14, 2023

In addition, Ollongren announced sending Ukraine an amphibious military vehicle to create a temporary crossing, as well as a radar system for detecting drones.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Netherlands has provided €1.2 billion in military assistance. The Netherlands pledged 2.5 billion euros to back Ukraine in 2023.

Among the Dutch military aid are armoured howitzers and 100 Leopard 1 tanks (Ukr), two Patriot launchers with ammunition. In addition, the Netherlands trains Ukrainian troops.