Netherlands frigate targets unmanned swarm in first allied participation in UK's Exercise ‘Sharpshooter'
The Dutch air-defence frigate HNLMS Evertsen (top), pictured during its CSG21 deployment, recently completed UK ‘Sharpshooter' counter-unmanned systems training. (US Navy photo, courtesy of Royal Navy)
The Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN) De Zeven Provincien-class air-defence frigate HNLMS Evertsen completed live-firing drills targeting unmanned systems as the first NATO navy participant of the UK's naval Exercise ‘Sharpshooter' in December 2025.
‘Sharpshooter' is run by UK-based defence company QinetiQ, which provides testing and training for UK armed forces under a long-term partnering agreement (LTPA).
‘Sharpshooter' blends live and synthetic serials with advanced capabilities, designed to train against real-life threats. The exercise was conducted at the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) test and evaluation facility at Aberporth, west Wales.
In combined live/synthetic elements, Evertsen completed live-firing drills targeting unmanned systems including those operating in simulated swarm attacks, QinetiQ said in a 19 December statement. The three-day threat scenario encompassed defence of critical assets in contested waters, with live targets (including QinetiQ's Banshee Whirlwind unmanned aerial vehicle [UAV] and Hammerhead unmanned surface vehicle [USV]) used to generate synthetic, virtual threats including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft. Operational procedures were tested from detection to neutralisation.
The RNLN frigate successfully completed its objectives, simulating tracking and neutralising of five UAV and two USV targets.
For more information, please seeSpecial Report: Exercise ‘Formidable Shield 25' expands multidomain IAMD elements .
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