Dutch defence
News about the Dutch armed forces, Dutch procurement and the Dutch defence industry.
Royal Netherlands Navy seeks new design for unmanned naval vessel
The Royal Netherlands Navy has dropped the previously chosen Damen FCS 5009 design as the basis for its large unmanned support vessel. Several shipyards are now competing to deliver a new design for this Large Uncrewed Surface Vessel, which is to act as a maritime ‘loyal wingman’ carrying containerised payloads.
Netherlands upgrades Boxer with powerful 30mm cannon and anti-drone capability (video)
The Dutch Army upgrades Boxer vehicles with a 30mm cannon, boosting firepower and anti-drone capabilities.
The Netherlands steps into the future: domestic drones for the next-generation air force (video)
On 16 October 2025, State Secretary Gijs Tuinman signed a letter of intent that makes the Netherlands part of the US Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme for ‘loyal wingman’ drones. Smaller ISR drones from General Atomics will also be built in the Netherlands by VDL Defentec.
Dutch Defence invests millions in Australian Apollo laser weapon against drones (video)
Rumours are circulating within defence circles about a possible Dutch-Australian partnership on laser weapons against drones. Central to that speculation is Apollo, a high-energy laser weapon developed by Electro Optic Systems (EOS). Official confirmation is still lacking, but the interest fits a broader Dutch search for new tools against modern drone threats.
Dutch Robin Radar linked to Latvian interceptor drone from Origin Robotics (video)
Robin Radar Systems is linking its IRIS drone radar to the Blaze interceptor drone from Latvia’s Origin Robotics. The radar sends new coordinates to the drone every second, and in the final phase the drone confirms the target with its own camera.
Dutch defence innovation: Defenture combines mobility and drone detection
Defenture and Robin Radar Systems are integrating drone radar on the Mammoth and GRF vehicles. This turns light tactical vehicles into mobile sensor posts that can detect small drones and loitering munitions.
Notable: the Netherlands chooses French F21 MK2 torpedo for Orka-class submarines (see test video)
The four Orka-class submarines will be fitted with the French F21 MK2 torpedo from the start, instead of first using the American MK48. That avoids a later modification of the weapon system.
The Netherlands to build 440 ACSV G5 armoured vehicles: Van Halteren gets key role in new generation of tracked vehicles (video)
The Dutch Ministry of Defence wants 440 ACSV G5 tracked vehicles built in the Netherlands, with a key role for Van Halteren Defence. The modular vehicle succeeds the M113 and carries air defence such as NOMADS and Skyranger.
76 mm gun for Dutch frigates also gets an international role as mobile air defence (video)
Leonardo’s 76 mm gun, ordered by the Netherlands for its new ASW frigates, is now also being mounted on a truck as mobile air defence. With guided DART ammunition it can intercept drones and incoming missiles.
Ukraine deploys Black Hornet Nano drone also used by Dutch special forces (video)
Ukrainian special forces use the Black Hornet Nano, a micro drone weighing a few dozen grams that Dutch commandos and marines also use. It has day and thermal cameras and is almost silent.
Dutch Damen to build autonomous ships for the US Navy
Damen Shipyards has signed a licence agreement with Blue Water Autonomy for the Liberty class, a 60-metre autonomous ship for the US Navy. Construction is expected to start in March 2026 at Conrad Shipyard in Louisiana.
Belgian Defence links BLAZE drone interceptor to Dutch radar from Robin Radar (video)
Belgian Defence has trained its first operators in Latvia for BLAZE, an autonomous drone interceptor from Origin Robotics. The radar from Dutch company Robin Radar Systems detects and tracks the target.
First images of new Dutch APAR Block 2 radar for future naval ships (video)
Thales Nederland has placed the new APAR Block 2 radar on a test tower in Hengelo; these are the first public images. The radar tracks large numbers of targets at once and supports several missiles simultaneously.
The Netherlands gets the V-BAT drone, while South Korea is already arming it with missiles
The Royal Netherlands Navy will get the V-BAT drone in 2026, which takes off and lands vertically from small decks. South Korea is already arming the same type with guided missiles.
Mobile counter-drone radars on 4x4s: the Netherlands speeds up protection of defence sites (videos)
The Dutch Ministry of Defence is buying around one hundred mobile drone radars from Robin Radar Systems, mounted on ordinary 4x4 trucks. The first systems have been handed over to COMMIT, which is preparing them to protect barracks, ports and depots.
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Robotics Atlas lifts 30 kilograms and sees all around: what Boston Dynamics’ robot can do (video)
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Robotics Chinese inventor flies a home-built hoverboard over a river (video)
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