Blueye to Supply Underwater Remote Vehicles to Dutch Navy
Norwegian firm Blueye Robotics, in partnership with Dutch company RVI Tools, has been contracted to supply underwater remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to the Royal Netherlands Navy.
The agreement calls for the delivery of an undisclosed number of ROVs to the Dutch Navy, featuring advanced capabilities tailored for military engineers and mine countermeasure teams.
The award follows a rigorous tender process involving multiple international contenders.
“This contract demonstrates the global trust in the Blueye ROV platform and reinforces our commitment to developing innovative, easy-to-use tools that enhance mission effectiveness and safety underwater,” CEO of Blueye Robotics Christian Gabrielsen said.
Versatile Platform
The selection was based on criteria including system reliability, sensor modularity, ease of use, and operational flexibility in challenging environments.
With their compact, lightweight design, long operational endurance, and proven performance from shallow waters to the open sea, the drones stood out among competitors.
Each system will be equipped with a suite of sensors and payloads, such as sonars, positioning systems, and intervention tools, enabling deployment across a broad range of military and civilian tasks.
Beyond hardware delivery, Blueye Robotics and RVI Tools will also offer on-site training and grant the Dutch Navy access to an extensive online support portal containing technical documentation and instructional videos.
Missions
The underwater drones have been acquired for a wide range of missions, including diving operations in support of reconnaissance, mobility and counter-mobility tasks, demolitions, and swimmer delivery.
They will also be deployed in surface roles such as reconnaissance in wetlands and littoral zones, securing potential sabotage points, and supporting riverine tactical insertions.
Beyond these core functions, the systems will support military engineer reconnaissance, harbor protection, and mine countermeasure operations, while also offering civilian applications such as search and recovery of missing persons or submerged objects and the inspection of military wrecks.
