The Netherlands has approved the next phase of its effort to integrate uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) into the Royal Netherlands Navy's future anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigates, authorizing design work and the procurement of advanced sonar equipment. The ministry has authorized Dutch Naval Design (DND) to begin the design phase for the USV while also completing the procurement of the adapted FLASH dipping sonar. The Royal Netherlands Navy can deploy them for tasks such as detecting and tracking enemy submarines. The ASW frigates, developed on behalf of the Netherlands Ministry of Defense for the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Belgian Navy, set a new European standard for advanced anti-submarine warfare vessels. Four ships will be built, with two for the Royal Netherlands Navy and two for the Belgian Navy.