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Royal Netherlands Navy Receives 12 V-BAT Drones for Shipboard Reconnaissance

A NATO framework purchase accelerated delivery, enabling installation across eight ships.

Overview

  • The acquisition follows shipboard trials from HNLMS Johan de Witt during NATO’s Cold Response exercise off Norway.
  • Each vessel requires airflow and turbulence measurements before launches to confirm safe deck operations.
  • The VTOL drones carry radar and electro-optical sensors, fly for several hours at altitude, and provide live imagery to operators.
  • AI-enabled autonomy allows missions without satellite links, with capability referenced from operational use in Ukraine.
  • The compact system stores in crates and launches from a roughly 5-by-5-meter footprint, and COMMIT is working with Shield AI to further integrate and improve the platform.