The Dutch Navy has successfully completed a series of live-fire drills off the coast of the United Kingdom, focusing on countering simulated swarm attacks as part of Exercise Sharpshooter. Spanning three days, the exercise involved the Dutch frigate HNLMS Evertsen, which operated approximately 32 kilometers (20 miles) off the Welsh coastline. During this time, the frigate demonstrated its capabilities by tracking and neutralizing five aerial targets and sinking two surface vehicles.
Central to the exercise was QinetiQ, a prominent provider of test and training solutions for the UK military. They supplied an array of aerial and surface unmanned targets, including the Banshee Whirlwind drone and the Hammerhead unmanned surface vehicle, in addition to deploying virtual drone threats. The drills were designed to simulate the defense of crucial assets against a variety of threats, including cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as enemy aircraft. This integration of live and virtual threats allowed for extensive testing of operational procedures, from threat detection to engagement strategies.
QinetiQ highlighted that this event marked the first participation of a NATO ally in Exercise Sharpshooter, a UK-led initiative aimed at enhancing naval and aerial defenses through both live and simulated scenarios. Will Blamey, Chief Executive of UK Defence at QinetiQ, emphasized the importance of interoperability between nations, stating that such exercises enable the UK and its allies to train collaboratively—sharing tactics and insights that improve overall readiness. He added, “By blending live and synthetic training with advanced capabilities, we help allied forces stay battle-ready and make confident decisions in a fast-changing threat environment.”
QinetiQ operates 16 sites across the UK as part of its Long-Term Partnering Agreement, facilitating various training exercises across land, sea, and air domains. Exercise Sharpshooter follows previous training initiatives, including the HMS Dauntless’s neutralization of drone swarms in the UK and NATO’s Exercise Med Strike in the Mediterranean. QinetiQ also played a crucial role in Exercise Formidable Shield off the coast of Scotland, which involved collaborative operations with 11 allied nations against various threats, including drones and missile systems.
