The Leonardo LIONFISH family of defence systems is now the choice of the Royal Navy of the Netherlands, according to a relevant announcement from the company.

The Navy has chosen the “LIONFISH Top” variant to equip its Holland-class patrol vessels, Landing Platform Dock (LPD) and Joint Support Ship (JSS) units, Johan de Witt and Karel Doorman classes and Den Helder-class Combat Support Ship.

The LIONFISH Top is one of three 12.7mm variants in the new family of remotely-controlled naval turrets. “Ultralight” and “Inner Reloading” models are also available in the same caliber. The company also offers a 20mm “LIONFISH 20” model.

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The LIONFISH Top of 12.7 mm weighs less than 300 kg and is highly effective against both close-range and asymmetric threats. According to the company, effectiveness, and accuracy, even at long range, are guaranteed by the use of a cooled infrared sensor that integrates Leonardo’s Mini Colibrì optics. 

This is common across the whole turret family, which can also integrate an uncooled sensor. Depending on the technology used, the detection range can be up to 12 km.

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The LIONFISH family stands out for its modularity, lightweight, and common architecture, which allow the turrets to be installed and operated onboard secondary platforms, both as a primary and secondary defence system, with no deck penetration. All systems in the family can self-calculate firing solutions and engage fast-moving threats.

The selection of the “LIONFISH Top” highlights, according to Leonardo, the strategic relationship between the company and the Royal Netherlands Navy, which also recently selected Leonardo’s OTO 127/64 LW Vulcano systems for the four De Zeven Provinciën multi-role units.

Also read: OTO VULCANO 127 | Dual-role ammunition against surface and long-range aerial targets