The Dutch Navy’s HNLMS Evertsen took part in an unprecedented NATO exercise off the coast of the United Kingdom, focusing on neutralizing drone swarms in maritime combat scenarios.
The activity is part of Exercise Sharpshooter and marks the first time that allied nations have participated in training that combines real targets with hypothetical threats to simulate a highly complex environment.
During a three-day operation at Aberporth Proving Ground in Wales, the ship was subjected to simulated attacks by air and surface drones.QinetiQAccording to , the crew tracked and shot down five aerial drones and also sank two unmanned surface vehicles, Hammerhead, demonstrating a high ability to respond to multiple threats simultaneously.
The exercise integrates simulations of cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and enemy aircraft, and is designed to test the defense of critical assets at sea. According to QinetiQ, the aim is to improve operational readiness by training complex attack patterns in a safe and highly realistic environment.
For the Dutch Navy, this experience provided valuable lessons for future missions. QinetiQ also notes that the Sharpshooter exercise will enhance interoperability between allies and expand multilateral cooperation against increasingly dynamic threats in the maritime domain.
source: UK Defence Blog | Photo: X @kon_marine | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by our editorial team
