The Royal Netherlands Navy reports that its Air Defence and Command Frigate (LCF) Zr.Ms. Evertsen has shot down an aerial drone. This occurred during an air defence exercise in a firing range near Crete. The frigate was training to respond to air threats during the current operation.
“HNLMS Evertsen deployed multiple weapon systems during the testing of the air defence chain,” the Dutch Ministry of Defence said. “The ship launched an anti-aircraft missile to neutralise close-range aerial targets such as drones, missiles and aircraft. The Goalkeeper rapid-fire cannon was also deployed to neutralise close-range targets.”
The ship is currently deployed in the eastern Mediterranean and is part of the French Carrier Strike Group. HNLMS Evertsen is tasked with protecting the naval task force and Cyprus against air threats.
Meanwhile, the Royal Netherlands Army has announced plans to expand its drone and counter-drone capabilities. The first phase involves approximately 600 new positions in combat units. The Army said that fighting with and against drones is a requirement in the current battlefield.
For more information
Ministry of Defence – Netherlands
Image: Royal Navy weapons crew on exercise in the Mediterranean. (Ministry of Defence – Netherlands)
The 2026 Unmanned Airspace Global Counter-UAS Systems Directory is now available. The Guide is the world’s only comprehensive, continually updated directory of global C-UAS companies and systems. It itemises over 1,000 C-UAS products and services with performance details, company sales and partnerships arrangements. It is updated every month and broken down into niche sub-sectors (net-capture, missiles, intercept drones, detectors etc) to give C-UAS procurement and industry personnel a unique perspective of global C-UAS technical capabilities and market positions. It is available in word, PDF and excel formats and Unmanned Airspace readers are eligible for a range of discounts. For more information about the Directory please contact the editor Philip Butterworth-Hayes at philip@unmannedairspace.info.