Shield AI V-BAT selected by Netherlands Ministry of Defence

Shield AI today announced that the Netherlands Ministry of Defence has procured eight V-BAT unmanned aircraft systems to enhance maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations for the Royal Netherlands Navy (Koninklijke Marine) and Marine Corps (Korps Mariniers). The deal was announced at the Maritime Uncrewed event hosted by the Royal Netherlands Navy in Den Helder, where officials highlighted the V-BAT acquisition as part of a broader effort to modernize the force.

"V-BAT's small logistical footprint, ease of use and the possibility to deploy from a wide range of vessels make it well-suited for our operational needs," said a spokesperson for the Netherlands Royal Navy. "We're integrating this system to strengthen our naval ISR capabilities and ensure continued interoperability with NATO forces."

The Navy's decision was bases in part on V-BAT's demonstrated success in Ukraine, where the platform is executing long-range, long-endurance ISR and targeting with complete independence from GNSS. V-BAT also conducted a month-long flight trial during NATO's REPMUS 2024 exercise, where V-BAT conducted maritime ISR operations aboard the HNLMS Johan de Witt.

"V-BAT was built for the types of missions the Dutch Navy and Marine Corps are preparing for - dynamic, distributed, and high-stakes," said Brandon Tseng, Shield AI's President and Co-founder. "It's operational today, proven in the most demanding combat environments, and delivers mission-critical capabilities unmatched by any other system. The Netherlands has a strong reputation for fielding cutting-edge capabilities quickly and effectively, and it's great to see them join a growing list of U.S. allies and partners choosing V-BAT for its flexibility, performance, and mission readiness."

(article source: Shield AI, via PR Newswire / editor: Anton van Rijsbergen)
(image source: Shield AI, via PR Newswire)