Netherlands Navy tests new combat vessel data system offering enhanced air detection.

On June 3, 2025, Thales Netherlands’ new Plot Level Data Exchange and Fusion (PLDEF) technology was successfully tested on Dutch and French Navy frigates during the international exercise "At Sea Demo/Formidable Shield 2025", according to the Netherlands Navy. In an era where rapid detection of aerial and maritime threats is critical, single radar systems face growing limitations. The PLDEF demonstration represents a key step toward overcoming these challenges and reshaping how European frigates will operate within integrated defense networks. 
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PLDEF offers several clear advantages over conventional track-level or plot-to-track fusion networks. By sharing raw radar plots, PLDEF enables earlier and more accurate threat identification, seamless multi-sensor correlation, and rapid target handoff between ships and potential missile systems (Picture source: Dutch MoD)

The Plot Level Data Exchange and Fusion (PLDEF) system enables real-time sharing of detailed track data, plot data, between allied warships to enhance collective detection, tracking, and engagement of complex threats. The system was trialed during the exercise using British fighter aircraft flying intricate patterns that would typically challenge individual radar tracking. Thanks to PLDEF, the French and Dutch ships achieved highly accurate tracking and situational awareness. Technically, PLDEF fuses radar plots at the earliest possible data level across multiple platforms via high-speed datalinks, providing a shared air and surface picture with much higher resolution and reduced latency compared to legacy tactical data links.

The operational development of PLDEF is closely tied to two major next-generation European naval programs: the Dutch Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigate (ASWF) and the future replacement for the Dutch Luchtverdedigings- en Commandofregat (LCF) class air defense frigates. Both programs aim to deliver ships optimized for operating in highly contested multi-threat environments, where superior sensor networking is crucial. The current test architecture for PLDEF was developed by Thales Netherlands in cooperation with TNO, under coordination by COMMIT’s Maritime Systems division, and in partnership with the French DGA (Direction générale de l’armement), COMMIT France, and Naval Group. This collaborative effort reflects an evolution from traditional radar-centric combat systems toward distributed, data-driven naval warfare.

PLDEF offers several clear advantages over conventional track-level or plot-to-track fusion networks. By sharing raw radar plots, PLDEF enables earlier and more accurate threat identification, seamless multi-sensor correlation, and rapid target handoff between ships and potential missile systems. When compared with legacy systems such as Link 16-based tactical pictures, PLDEF reduces ambiguities and delays. Historically, similar concepts have been explored in the U.S. Navy’s Cooperative Engagement Capability (CEC), but PLDEF represents a modern European implementation with a strong focus on modularity and interoperability for evolving NATO fleets.

Strategically, the adoption of PLDEF positions European navies to better counter emerging threats such as hypersonic missiles, stealthy low-flying cruise missiles, and saturation attacks by unmanned aerial and surface vehicles. The technology aligns with NATO’s broader ambition to strengthen integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) capabilities across member navies. In geostrategic terms, it supports the growing need for European task groups to operate effectively in contested zones such as the North Atlantic, Baltic Sea, and increasingly the Mediterranean, where peer adversary capabilities are rapidly advancing.

The PLDEF demonstration at Formidable Shield 2025 underscores Europe’s growing technological leadership in naval network-centric warfare. In an era where seamless real-time data exchange can decide the outcome of naval engagements, PLDEF offers a key capability to ensure that European frigates remain at the cutting edge of allied maritime operations. This achievement reflects both the power of international cooperation and the strategic necessity of modernizing naval combat networks for the threats of tomorrow.