The P903 Meuse was one of six Belgian Leie-class river patrol boats (vedetten) built in 1953 for the Rijnsmaldeel (Rhine Flotilla). Designed for Cold War patrol duties on the Rhine, these fast and shallow-draught vessels were capable of operating in confined inland waters while still being seaworthy for coastal use. Over its long career, Meuse carried various light weapon fits — ranging from 12.7 mm Browning M2 heavy machine guns to 20 mm autocannons — making her a flexible patrol craft well-suited for War Thunder’s early coastal tiers.
TL;DR: Belgian Cold War river patrol boat, multiple armament fits (HMGs & 20 mm), long-serving vessel now preserved in Brussels.
P903 Meuse in service on the Scheldt River (2 × single 12.7 mm HMG)
History
History of P903 *Meuse*
Builder: Hitzler Theodor Shipyard, Regensburg, Germany (yard no. 186)
Laid down: 14 March 1953
Launched: 13 August 1953
Commissioned: 20 August 1953
The Meuse was part of Belgium’s postwar naval revival. As a unit of the Rijnsmaldeel, she patrolled Belgium’s assigned sector of the Rhine from 1953 until the flotilla was disbanded in 1960. During this period, she carried out security patrols, traffic inspections, and liaison duties with NATO partners.
After returning to Belgium, Meuse continued to serve in support roles — including pollution control, training, and guidance duties in Belgian inland waters.
Highlights of her service history include:
26 January 1966 – Left Ostend for the Reserve Depot at Kallo.
31 January 1968 – Carried out a guidance mission in Antwerp.
She remained in active service until 12 June 1987, one of the longest-serving Leie-class boats. In 1990 she was sold to private owners W. De Decker and L. Pauwels. In 1996 she was donated to the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History in Brussels, where she remains preserved today.
Specifications (P903 Meuse)
Displacement: 25 tons Length overall: 24.25 m Length between P/P: 23.0 m Beam: 3.8 m Draught: 0.9 m Range: 2,300 nm at 10 knots Speed: 19 knots Propulsion: 2 × MWM diesel engines (220 hp each), 2 shafts, twin screws Radar: DECCA 707 (1954–1979), DECCA 1214 (1980–1987) Crew: 1 petty officer + 6 sailors Radio call sign: ORIE
Armament variants used on Meuse:
Variant
Weapons
Layout
Dual autocannon
2 × 20 mm autocannon
Fore & aft
Mixed fit
1 × 20 mm autocannon + 1 × 12.7 mm HMG
Aft (20 mm), fore (HMG)
Dual HMG
2 × single 12.7 mm HMG
Fore & aft
Single HMG
1 × single 12.7 mm HMG
Fore or aft
Place in War Thunder
The Meuse would be a perfect entry-level patrol craft for Belgium in War Thunder’s coastal fleet. With her different armament fits, she could appear as multiple variants or a researchable upgrade path — starting with the single 12.7 mm HMG and progressing to the mixed 20 mm + HMG or dual 20 mm layouts.
BR range: Rank I
Role: fast and agile patrol boat, ideal for riverine/coastal maps
Placement: France (BeNeLux subtree) or future independent BeNeLux coastal tree
Pictures
Images of P903 *Meuse*
P903 Meuse with a single 12.7 mm mount (1 × single 12.7 mm HMG)
