The Royal Netherlands Navy is set to acquire a new generation of underwater surveillance technology through a pioneering collaboration with Lobster Robotics. According to an announcement from the company, a contract was signed with the Dutch Ministry of Defence on June 24th at the 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague, establishing the ministry as the inaugural customer for a new military-grade underwater drone.

The agreement will focus on the joint development of a specialized version of Lobster Robotics‘ existing underwater vehicle, known as the “Scout.” A post by the robotics firm mentioned that the partnership will involve adapting the current civilian model of the drone for military applications through close cooperation and feedback with naval personnel.

This collaboration is a direct outcome of NATO‘s Rapid Adoption Action Plan (RAAP), an initiative designed to accelerate the integration of cutting-edge technology into operational use for alliance members. The announcement highlighted that Lobster Robotics’ selection for the program is a significant milestone, positioning the Scout drone as one of the first systems to be developed under this new, fast-tracked approach.

The company’s journey to this point included successful participation in the NATO DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) program, which laid the foundation for this dual-use technology deployment.

Lobster Robotics expressed excitement not only about entering the defence market but also about the opportunity to mature the drone’s capabilities by working directly with the end-users and maintenance organizations within the Dutch Navy. The development process will be iterative, starting with the current Scout model and progressively enhancing it to meet military standards. According to the company, this hands-on approach will ensure the final product is robust and effective for its intended naval tasks.