Netherlands Navy V-BAT Maritime ISR (8 systems)

The Netherlands Ministry of Defence, via the Royal Netherlands Air Force, has procured eight V-BAT unmanned aircraft systems from Shield AI for the Royal Netherlands Navy and Marine Corps to enhance maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. The V-BAT, a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone, supports shipboard deployment from vessels like the HNLMS Johan de Witt, validated during NATO's REPMUS 2024 exercise, and is suited for contested environments without GNSS reliance. This acquisition reflects a modernization push informed by the system's proven performance in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific, ensuring interoperability with NATO forces and operational resilience against electronic warfare threats.

Notes

8x V-BAT for Royal Netherlands Navy/Marine Corps. Follows REPMUS 2024 trials on HNLMS Johan de Witt. Maritime ISR, GNSS-independent.