Dutch Navy orders containerised anti-submarine warfare systems

Published Jul 29, 10:10 AM UTC

The Dutch Ministry of Defence has ordered containerised towed-array sonar systems under the ASWINABO (Anti-Submarine Warfare In A Box) programme from Amsterdam-based OPTICS11. These portable, passive fibre-optic arrays can be rapidly deployed on a wide variety of surface vessels, including unmanned surface vessels, enabling anti-submarine sensing on ships not originally designed for it. The order expands OPTICS11's OptiArray product line. The move comes amid growing concerns over subsea infrastructure security, with autonomous underwater vehicles becoming more capable and Russian shadow fleets operating in Northern European waters. Unlike conventional electrical arrays, OptiArray is passive, acoustically silent, and immune to electromagnetic interference, offering earlier detection and better target classification. The project also aims to establish production and integration capabilities for future large-scale deployment. OPTICS11 CEO Paul Heiden and Captain Lucas Leppink of the Dutch Navy highlighted the system's flexibility and importance for maritime security and undersea infrastructure protection.