Lobster Robotics has showcased its Scout 3 uncrewed underwater system at the REPMUS exercise in Portugal, significantly enhancing the Royal Netherlands Navy‘s (RNLN) operational capabilities. Within just three days of training, Dutch operators achieved independent operation of the system, demonstrating its user-friendly design and rapid deployment potential.

During the trials, the Scout 3 consistently identified underwater targets within 20 minutes after receiving target coordinates through the tactical network. Integrated via the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK), the system seamlessly transitioned from contact detection to identification, operating fully autonomously and allowing crews to focus on higher-level tasks. This interoperability aligns with NATO standards, showcasing the system’s capability to integrate into allied operations effectively.

Remarkably, the Scout 3 progressed from initial design in December 2024 to deployment with the RNLN by September 2025, a timeline that surpasses traditional defense development schedules and aligns with NATO’s Rapid Adoption Action Plan, which aims for a 24-month timeline from need to deployment. This swift transition underscores the urgency and trust nations place in Lobster Robotics to address underwater awareness capability gaps.

The Scout system has been gaining traction across NATO, with deployments in various exercises and operations, including the SeaSEC Challenge Weeks in the Netherlands and Task Force X in the Baltic Sea. These engagements highlight the system’s versatility and reliability in diverse maritime environments.

As Europe seeks to strengthen its defense industrial base and reduce reliance on non-European suppliers, Lobster Robotics, as a Dutch high-tech OEM scale-up, exemplifies how national innovation contributes directly to European autonomy. By fielding Scout systems with allied navies and moving rapidly through NATO’s adoption pathways, Lobster Robotics demonstrates both operational value and strategic autonomy.