3 August 2026 – Each of the Royal Netherlands Navy’s new Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) frigates will be equipped with a 12-metre-long uncrewed surface vessel (USV). A so-called FLASH dipping sonar from Thales, which is yet to be adapted, will be installed on this USV. The Ministry of Defence today gave the go-ahead for Dutch Naval Design (DND) to commence the design work and, at the same time, to finalise the procurement of the FLASH dipping sonar. Dipping sonarsWhen designing the new 12-metre-long uncrewed vessels, the builders must take the integration of various new systems into account from the outset. Anti-submarine warfareWith uncrewed vessels, the new ASW frigates extend their range and improve their responsiveness.