U.S. V-BAT drone chosen by Netherlands to boost shipborne intelligence capability in contested maritime zones.

According to information published by Shield AI on July 9, 2025, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence has officially procured eight V-BAT unmanned aircraft systems to bolster maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities across the Royal Netherlands Navy and Marine Corps. The announcement was made during the Maritime Uncrewed event in Den Helder, underscoring a strategic leap forward in Dutch maritime modernization and autonomous systems integration.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

U.S. V-BAT VTOL drone on display near Commander of the Netherlands Navy Vice Adm. René Tas and Vice Adm. Jan Willem Hartman during Maritime Uncrewed event in Den Helder. (Picture source: Shield AI )

The U.S. V-BAT acquisition marks a significant milestone in the Netherlands' broader effort to field highly autonomous, resilient, and combat-tested ISR solutions tailored for operations in contested environments. Designed by the U.S.-based deep-tech company Shield AI, the V-BAT platform operates independently of GNSS, enabling full-spectrum ISR and targeting in environments where GPS and communications may be compromised. Shield AI highlighted that this makes the system particularly suited to high-threat maritime missions requiring persistent awareness and rapid deployment from a variety of vessels.

According to a Royal Netherlands Navy spokesperson, the platform's logistical simplicity, shipboard compatibility, and advanced autonomy were key drivers behind the decision. The spokesperson emphasized that V-BAT offers scalable ISR solutions while preserving operational interoperability with NATO allies, including the United States. This procurement is expected to directly enhance the Dutch Navy’s ability to conduct distributed maritime operations and real-time threat monitoring, particularly in the North Sea and broader NATO maritime areas.

The decision follows V-BAT's operational success in Ukraine, where the drone has reportedly executed long-range ISR and targeting missions under GNSS-denied conditions. Additionally, a pivotal shipboard demonstration during NATO’s REPMUS 2024 exercise aboard the HNLMS Johan de Witt further validated V-BAT’s maritime capability and influenced the Ministry’s procurement strategy. Shield AI's co-founder Brandon Tseng emphasized that the V-BAT is already operational in some of the world’s most demanding combat theaters, showcasing its reliability, autonomy, and survivability against sophisticated electronic warfare threats.

Technically, the V-BAT is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft system featuring a single-engine ducted fan design. With a wingspan of approximately 9.7 feet (3 meters) and a maximum takeoff weight of 125 pounds (56.7 kg), the V-BAT is engineered for compactness and versatility. It can achieve a cruise speed of over 90 knots and operate for up to 11 hours depending on payload configuration. The aircraft supports a wide range of modular sensor payloads, including electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) gimbals, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), electronic warfare (EW) systems, and communications relay packages.

The system’s VTOL capability allows it to launch and recover in a vertical orientation, enabling operations from confined spaces such as ship decks, rooftops, or rugged forward positions without the need for launchers or recovery equipment. Its ducted-fan propulsion system enhances safety and reduces acoustic signature, making it ideal for stealthy ISR missions in sensitive environments.

Operational roles for the V-BAT include persistent maritime ISR, target acquisition and tracking, signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic warfare support, communications relay, and battle damage assessment. The platform has proven its value in both conventional and hybrid warfare settings, capable of sustaining operations in GPS-denied and EW-saturated airspaces while delivering real-time actionable intelligence to commanders.

With this acquisition, the Netherlands becomes the latest NATO member to integrate U.S. V-BAT aerial drone into its force structure, joining a growing list of U.S. allies leveraging autonomous air systems to expand maritime situational awareness, increase force projection, and strengthen resilience against near-peer threats. The deployment of V-BAT is set to enhance the Royal Netherlands Navy’s tactical ISR advantage in critical maritime zones while supporting joint and coalition operations across the Euro-Atlantic theater.