V-BAT is a vertical take-off and landing unmanned aircraft system built for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance from ships and confined sites. Its design avoids the Runway and catapult infrastructure required by many fixed-wing systems.

The Royal Netherlands Navy declared V-BAT operational on 30 March after Arctic SEA trials aboard HNLMS Johan de Witt. The Netherlands acquired 12 aircraft and plans to equip eight vessels, giving the system an operational naval reference within NATO.

V-BAT's significance lies in extending shipborne ISR to fleets that need compact launch and recovery options. Its Dutch service record provides evidence for naval buyers assessing the aircraft's use in cold-weather and maritime conditions.

Common Questions

What is the V-BAT drone used by the Royal Netherlands Navy?

V-BAT is Shield AI's VTOL ISR drone declared operational by the Royal Netherlands Navy on 30 March 2026 after Arctic trials aboard HNLMS Johan de Witt. It is the first NATO navy to operate V-BAT.Source: Shield AI / Naval News

V-BAT NATO certification Arctic trials?

The Royal Netherlands Navy completed Arctic SEA trials aboard HNLMS Johan de Witt and declared V-BAT operational on 30 March 2026. The Netherlands acquired 12 units for eight vessels.Source: Shield AI press release

Who makes the V-BAT drone?

Shield AI, an American company, builds the V-BAT, a surveillance drone that takes off and lands vertically.Source: Lowdown briefing, update 718

How long can the V-BAT drone stay in the air?

Shield AI rates the V-BAT at more than 12 hours' endurance with an electro-optical and infrared camera payload. It weighs up to 75 kg at take-off, carries up to 18.1 kg of payload, and takes off and lands vertically from a space about 4.6 metres square, so it needs no Runway or launcher.Source: Shield AI V-BAT specifications (shield.ai/v-bat)

Which militaries use the V-BAT drone?

In the US, the Navy flies V-BAT from several ship classes, Marine Expeditionary Units carry it, and the Coast Guard uses it under a services contract. In Europe, the Royal Netherlands Navy declared its 12 V-BATs operational on 30 March 2026, and Belgium's Ministry of Defence bought €46.9m of V-BAT systems in September 2026 through the Belgian supplier Stellar Ordnance.Source: Shield AI (shield.ai/v-bat); Tenders Electronic Daily contract award notice 614081-2026

Why did Belgium buy V-BAT drones without a tender?

Belgium's defence ministry recorded the €46.9m purchase as an "urgent acquisition" under the negotiated procedure without prior call for competition. The notice, published on 7 September 2026 in the EU's procurement journal, names Stellar Ordnance, a Belgian supplier, and gives no quantity.Source: TED notice, 7 September 2026

Which European countries use the V-BAT drone?

The Royal Netherlands Navy declared its V-BATs operational in March 2026. Belgium's defence ministry bought V-BATs under an urgent €46.9m award published in September 2026.Source: Lowdown briefing, update 718

How the World Sees Them

US Navy

Shield AI validated V-BAT's Arctic naval capability through a NATO partner rather than a US Navy programme, potentially building the operational track record needed for future US procurement.

Ukraine

Ukraine's extensive battlefield use of drone ISR has demonstrated the operational value of persistent aerial surveillance. V-BAT's naval application extends that doctrine to maritime environments.

European NATO allies

The Royal Netherlands Navy's first-in-NATO operational declaration gives V-BAT a European reference customer. Other NATO navies without catapult infrastructure will evaluate the Netherlands experience.