Netherlands Advances Uncrewed Sonar Vessel for New Anti-Submarine Warfare Frigates

Thales announced on August 3, 2026, that Dutch Naval Design has entered the design phase for a 12-meter uncrewed surface vessel that will operate from the Royal Netherlands Navy’s future Anti-Submarine Warfare frigates, expanding their ability to detect and track submarines far beyond the reach of the ships’ organic sonar. The new platform will provide each frigate with a persistent off-board active sonar capability, extending underwater surveillance while reducing reliance on NH90 helicopters for prolonged anti-submarine missions. The program builds on a 2024 agreement between the Dutch Materiel and IT Command (COMMIT) and Dutch Naval Design, a consortium led by Damen Naval with MARIN and DEMCON. Once fielded, the uncrewed vessel will strengthen the Netherlands’ shift toward autonomous naval operations, enhancing fleet survivability and anti-submarine warfare effectiveness as part of a broader maritime modernization effort.

https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/navy-news/2026/netherlands-advances-uncrewed-sonar-vessel-for-new-anti-submarine-warfare-frigates

The Royal Netherlands Navy’s future anti-submarine warfare frigates will deploy a 12-metre uncrewed surface vessel equipped with active sonar, extending submarine detection beyond the ship and its NH90 helicopter (Picture source: Dutch MoD).