Royal Netherlands Navy acquires 12 V-BAT unmanned aircraft systems from Shield AI for maritime domain awareness operations

The Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) finalized a supply agreement with Shield AI to acquire 12 V-BAT unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for maritime domain awareness operations, marking the first operational deployment of the system aboard the HNLMS Johan de Witt. The agreement includes equipping eight RNLN vessels with the necessary infrastructure to support V-BAT operations, enabling real-time video feeds and situational awareness in challenging environments such as the high Arctic and Caribbean. Shield AI’s V-BAT, a NATO Class I small VTOL UAS with a ducted-fan design, offers over 12 hours of endurance and operates reliably in contested, GNSS-denied, and sub-zero conditions. The RNLN and Shield AI are also collaborating with the Dutch Ministry of Defense’s IT delivery agency, Joint Information Provision Command (JIVC), to further develop V-BAT’s capabilities for Dutch defense operations. The V-BAT system is designed for electronic warfare battlefields and delivers intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting at lower costs than larger NATO Class II and III drones.

Counterparts (2)

supplier

Shield AI

company

San Diego-based defense technology company founded in 2015, specializing in AI-powered autonomous systems for military applications. Develops advanced autonomy software and hardware for aircraft, drones, and surveillance systems with 750 employees.

Offtaker

R

Royal Netherlands Navy

company

The Royal Netherlands Navy is the maritime branch of the Netherlands Armed Forces, responsible for national defense, maritime security, and international peacekeeping operations. As a government military branch, it does not have commercial investment preferences in the infrastructure industry but procures and operates defense-related infrastructure for its mission.