Lobster Robotics to develop militarised version of Scout AUV for Dutch navy experimentation

A Lobster Robotics AUV is prepared for deployment in Scheveningen harbour using a floating pontoon. (Netherlands MoD)

The Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Delft-based startup Lobster Robotics have agreed to collaborate to further develop the company's Scout autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) for use by the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN).

The co-operation agreement was signed by Dutch State Secretary for Defence Gijs Tuinman and Lobster Robotics CEO Stephan Rutten at the NATO summit at The Hague on 24 June.

The RNLN will use the AUV as part of NATO's Rapid Adoption Action Plan (RAAP), which was officially endorsed by NATO during the summit. According to Tuinman, participation in the RAAP will enable Lobster Robotics to develop a bespoke militarised version of Scout.

NATO's RAAP is a strategic initiative designed to significantly accelerate the pace at which NATO and its member nations adopt new technologies, aiming for a maximum adoption timeline of 24 months. The plan focuses on enhancing NATO's ability to integrate emerging technologies, ensuring its readiness and operational effectiveness in a technologically driven defence landscape.

Tuinman said the collaboration with Lobster Robotics is an example of how civil innovation can be directly deployed by the armed forces. “Dual-use technologies such as the Scout make us faster, smarter, and more effective,” he said. “Within NATO, they enable us to collectively strengthen our technological edge and operational effectiveness.”