Netherlands moves forward with design of anti-submarine USV

A ‘USV Alliance' drawn from the Dutch naval Design ecosystem has commenced detailed design of a 12 m USV to operate alongside the RNLN's new ASW frigates. (Netherlands Ministry of Defence)

The Netherlands Ministry of Defence (MoD) has given the green light for the design and development of an anti-submarine warfare (ASW)-roled unmanned surface vehicle (USV) to operate in the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) alongside conventional crewed ASW assets.

Announcing the move on 29 July 2026, the MoD said that its Materiel and IT Command (Commando Materieel en IT - COMMIT) had given Dutch Naval Design (DND) the go-ahead to commence detailed design of the 12 m USV and, at the same time, finalise the procurement of the active dipping sonar that will equip the unmanned craft. DND is a collaborative ecosystem of government, industry, academia and research institutions.

The RNLN has been investigating the potential of unmanned ASW for several years, with the aim of developing a capability that can be deployed from its new ASW frigates. The project forms part of a broader maritime unmanned systems portfolio.

Initial concept development work framed requirements for a compact (~12 m) USV design featuring an active dipping sonar deployed from a central moon pool. Designed to operate in North Atlantic conditions up to Sea State 5 (including launch and recovery), the USV concept of operations is based on a ‘sprint and dip' cycle, with the craft to be capable of 20 kt ‘sprint' transits.

Twelve members of DND have come together as a single multidisciplinary ‘USV Alliance' consortium for the ASW USV project. These comprise de Haas Rotterdam Shipyard, ADSE Consulting and Engineering, AVR Maritime, Damen Naval, DEMCON unmanned systems, Fugro, MARIN, RH Marine, Rohde & Schwarz, Starion, SkyDec and TNO.