The Netherlands Ministry of Defence has selected Shield AI’s V-BAT unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to enhance maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. The initial order of eight V-BAT drones will be deployed across the Royal Netherlands Navy and Marine Corps, marking a significant step in the country’s force modernization efforts.
The announcement was made during the ‘Maritime Uncrewed’ event in Den Helder, hosted by the Royal Netherlands Navy. The procurement reflects a growing interest in autonomy-enabled, GNSS-independent drone platforms that can operate effectively in contested maritime environments.
Built for Modern Naval Missions
The V-BAT Unmanned Aircraft System, developed by U.S.-based defense technology company Shield AI, is a compact, single-engine ducted-fan VTOL drone. It’s designed to take off and land vertically from confined areas—making it ideal for deployment on naval vessels and remote marine locations.
“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, President and Co-founder of Shield AI. “It’s operational today, proven in the most demanding combat environments, and delivers mission-critical capabilities unmatched by any other system.”
The V-BAT has proven operational success in Ukraine, where it has been used for long-range ISR and targeting missions without relying on GPS. Its performance in GNSS-denied and comms-contested environments has made it a top choice for armed forces needing resilient ISR platforms.
Validated Through NATO and Combat Use
The Dutch Navy’s decision was influenced by the system’s strong track record in field deployments. Notably, V-BAT completed a month-long shipboard trial during NATO’s REPMUS 2024 exercise, operating from the HNLMS Johan de Witt. The successful demonstration helped confirm the system’s reliability in maritime ISR operations.
The V-BAT is the only operational single-engine VTOL drone of its kind in active use by U.S. allies, with deployments across the Indo-Pacific, Black Sea, and European theaters. Its resilience against electronic warfare threats makes it particularly suited for high-threat environments.
