ECKERNFÖRDE, Germany, Feb. 25, 2026 : Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), in cooperation with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), has formally delivered its BlueWhale autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to the German Navy at the Eckernförde naval base near Kiel. The handover marks the first international sale of the Israeli-developed large unmanned submarine system.
The procurement, estimated to be valued at tens of millions of euros, reflects Germany’s expanding integration of unmanned maritime platforms into its naval force structure. The BlueWhale was developed by IAI’s ELTA division and incorporates key subsystems from German industry, including an advanced towed array sonar supplied by ATLAS Elektronik, a TKMS subsidiary.
The delivery ceremony was attended by senior defense and industry officials, including Jens Plötner, State Secretary in the German Federal Ministry of Defense; Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack, Inspector of the German Navy; IAI President and CEO Boaz Levy; and Michael Ozegowski, Executive Vice President of TKMS ATLAS Elektronik.
System Specifications and Design
Designated ELI-3325, the BlueWhale is a large-displacement, fully autonomous underwater vehicle designed for extended covert maritime missions without onboard crew.
The platform measures 10.9 meters in length, 1.12 meters in diameter and weighs approximately 5.5 tons. It is engineered to be transported inside a standard 40-foot shipping container, enabling deployment by land, air or sea.
The electric-powered vehicle can dive to depths of up to 300 meters and operate at an average submerged speed of 7 knots. Depending on mission profile and energy consumption, it can remain deployed for two to four weeks, with endurance reaching up to 30 days. The propulsion system is supported by a high-efficiency battery bank designed for sustained underwater operations.
Sensor Suite and Mission Systems
The BlueWhale is equipped with a telescopic mast that deploys surface sensors while maintaining hull protection when submerged. Mast-mounted systems include radar, day/night electro-optical and infrared cameras, signals intelligence (SIGINT) equipment, satellite communications (SATCOM), and real-time data transmission capability.
Below the surface, the vehicle integrates multiple sonar systems for detection and mapping tasks. The towed array sonar developed by ATLAS Elektronik supports anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations. A flank array sonar enables detection of ships and submarines, while a synthetic aperture sonar provides high-resolution seabed imaging for mine detection and underwater mapping.
The system is configured for unmanned ASW missions, covert maritime operations, acoustic intelligence collection, detection of targets above and below the surface, and seabed mine identification. Its autonomous architecture allows persistent reconnaissance without exposing personnel to operational risk.
Operational Evaluation and Baltic Deployment Context
The formal delivery follows operational experimentation (OPEX) trials conducted by the German Navy and the Bundeswehr Technical Center in the Baltic Sea in late 2024. The Baltic operational environment, characterized by shallow waters, dense maritime traffic and the presence of critical underwater infrastructure such as communication cables and energy pipelines, served as a testbed for system performance validation.
The BlueWhale’s integration aligns with the German Navy’s “Kurs Marine 2035+” modernization program, which aims to transition toward a hybrid fleet structure combining manned submarines with unmanned underwater systems. Vice Admiral Kaack has stated that unmanned platforms will expand sensor coverage and support sustained maritime surveillance missions within this framework.
The system was publicly unveiled in 2023 prior to its evaluation phase.
Bilateral Defense Cooperation and Export Prospects
The BlueWhale acquisition reflects broader defense cooperation between Germany and Israel. In recent years, Germany has concluded major procurement agreements with Israel, including the Arrow 3 missile defense system and Heron unmanned aerial vehicles.
Following its first export delivery to Germany, IAI is pursuing additional international opportunities for the BlueWhale platform. Greece has emerged as a potential customer. In 2025, IAI signed a memorandum of understanding with Hellenic Aerospace Industry to jointly offer the system to the Hellenic Navy for evaluation.
With its operational entry into the German Navy, the BlueWhale becomes part of Europe’s expanding unmanned underwater capabilities, supporting persistent intelligence, surveillance and mine countermeasure missions within NATO maritime frameworks.
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