Shield AI, the deep-tech company building cutting edge autonomy software products and defense aircraft, has revealed that the Netherlands Ministry of Defence has acquired eight V-BAT unmanned aircraft systems to boost maritime intelligence, security and reconnaissance (ISR) operations for the Royal Netherlands Navy and Marine Corps.The deal was publicly revealed at the Maritime Uncrewed occasion hosted by the Royal Netherlands Navy in Den Helder, where authorities highlighted the V-BAT acquisition as part of a broader effort to improve the force.
The choice to acquire V-BAT shows a definitive and focused push to field battle-proven, autonomy-enabled systems efficient in operating in objected to environments and without reliance on GNSS for navigation or objective execution.V-BATs small logistical footprint, ease of usage and the possibility to release from a vast array of vessels make it appropriate for our functional needs, said a spokesperson for the Netherlands Royal Navy.
Were integrating this system to reinforce our naval ISR abilities and ensure continued interoperability with NATO forces.From left: Ryan Tseng, co-founder and chief strategy officer at Shield AI; Vice Adm.
Ren Tas, leader of the Royal Netherlands Navy; Vice Adm.
Jan Willem Hartman, Netherlands national armaments director and commander of the Materiel and IT Command (CommIT); and Commodore Frank Lenssen, director of operations, Royal Netherlands Navy.
Photo taken at the Maritime Uncrewed event hosted by the Royal Netherlands Navy in Den Helder.This Navys choice was informed in part by V-BATs showed success inUkraine where the platform is performing long-range, long-endurance ISR and targeting with complete self-reliance from GNSS.
V-BAT likewise performed an effective month-long flight trial during NATOs REPMUS 2024 workout, where V-BAT performed maritime ISR operations aboard the HNLMSJohan de Witt.
That event helped confirm the systems shipboard efficiency and notified the Dutch Ministrys decision-making process.V-BAT was developed for the types of missions the Dutch Navy and Marine Corps are preparing fordynamic, dispersed, and high-stakes, saidBrandon Tseng, Shield AIs President and Co-founder.
Its functional today, proven in the most demanding combat environments, and delivers mission-critical abilities unmatched by any other system.The Netherlandshas a strong reputation for fielding advanced capabilities rapidly and successfully, and its terrific to see them sign up with a growing list of U.S.
allies and partners selecting V-BAT for its versatility, performance, and objective readiness.The V-BAT is the only single-engine ducted-fan vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operationally deployed throughout numerous areas worldwide.
Its compact footprint and ability to launch and recover in confined areas make it ideal for shipborne and austere environments, making sure versatility and durability in intricate missions.V-BAT has actually earned its credibility for dependability, running with impunity in GPS-denied and comms-contested environments.
Its proven performance in regions likeUkraine, the Black Sea, and the Indo-Pacific demonstrates its capability to stand up to sophisticated electronic warfare threats that have grounded many standard drones.Source: Shield AI