Dutch navy sets out vision for transition to hybrid fleet

The Netherlands has laid out its plan for a new navy structure that mixes crewed platforms with uncrewed systems to enhance its naval power. 

Published on 30 April by the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN), the ‘Future Vision Maritime Uncrewed’ plan envisions a ‘system-of-systems' approach where uncrewed assets are prioritised for “dangerous, difficult, and decisive” missions.  

Developed by the RNLN’s ‘Maritime Uncrewed Taskforce’ the plan emphasises collaboration with allied nations, industry, and research institutes to achieve its goals. 

The plan is structured around seven “warfare areas” which include a focus on protecting the North Sea and Caribbean, anti-submarine warfare, and integrated air and missile defence, among others.  

“This is not about isolated tools but about a system-of-systems approach, where humans, platforms, and unmanned systems collaboratively increase combat power,” stated Vice Admiral Harold Liebregs, Commander of the RNLN. 

To assist the transition, the navy plans to work with industry and academia to build a "smart maritime ecosystem”. This involves developing production capacity using robotics and 3D printing and supporting prototypes from Dutch suppliers.  

Looking further into the future, the RNLN says that by 2040-2050, the goal is to deploy increasingly autonomous combat networks in highly distributed operations to replace concentrated fleets. 

In June, the RNLN will test the concept of the system-of-systems approach during Maritime Uncrewed Sea Trials (MUST) in the North Sea. During the exercise, uncrewed air and maritime systems will be controlled from a crewed platform.