Exail Secures €40 Million Order for Hundreds of K-STER Mine Neutralization Drones

Paris / Ostend: French defence and maritime technology company Exail has announced the signing of a major new contract for the supply of several hundred K-STER mine neutralization drones to multiple navies, marking one of the largest export successes for the system to date. Valued at approximately €40 million, the order represents the second-largest K-STER contract ever recorded, following the €60 million order secured in 2024.

The new deal further strengthens Exail’s position as a global leader in autonomous mine countermeasures (MCM) and underlines growing naval demand for expendable, unmanned solutions capable of neutralising increasingly sophisticated underwater threats.

A Critical Element of Modern Mine Warfare

The K-STER drone is deployed during the final and most dangerous phase of mine countermeasure operations. After underwater threats are detected and classified by other unmanned platforms within Exail’s UMIS (Unmanned MCM Integrated System) architecture, the K-STER is sent in to destroy the mine.

Unlike reusable drones, the K-STER is a “consumable” system. Each unit is destroyed during the neutralisation process, a design choice that maximises crew safety and ensures mission effectiveness. This operational model also creates a long-term recurring revenue stream for Exail throughout the service life of deployed UMIS systems.

According to the company, Exail’s current backlog now exceeds 1,000 autonomous drones, with industrial capacity already in place to sustain production over the coming years.

Production Centered in Belgium

All drones under the new contract will be manufactured at Exail’s Ostend facility in Belgium, a site that has recently reached full operational capability. The factory plays a central role in supporting the ramp-up of major mine countermeasure modernisation programmes underway across several navies, particularly in Europe and Asia.

The Ostend plant is designed to handle large-scale serial production of autonomous underwater systems, positioning Exail to respond quickly to future high-volume defence orders.

K-STER: A Proven and Highly Lethal System

First introduced in 2008, the K-STER was originally developed by ECA Group, prior to its integration into Exail. The system builds on the legacy of the widely used PAP mine disposal vehicle, while incorporating modern robotics, propulsion, and explosive technologies.

K-STER is a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) equipped with a tiltable shaped charge, enabling it to neutralise all classes of naval mines. These include sea-bottom mines, floating mines, historical ordnance, and advanced smart mines fitted with sophisticated sensors and counter-countermeasures.

Its unique propulsion architecture allows the drone to maintain stability in strong water currents and approach a target mine with exceptional precision. Safety is further enhanced through the use of insensitive ammunition and multi-pole safety interlocks, which remain active until the final firing sequence.

Flexible Deployment Across Platforms

Operators can control the K-STER from a command-and-control station located outside the minefield, either from a mothership or from shore. When integrated with unmanned surface vessels, the drone can also be automatically deployed from a USV, significantly reducing risk to personnel and manned platforms.

This flexibility has made the system particularly attractive for navies transitioning toward fully unmanned mine warfare concepts.

Growing International User Base

The K-STER is already sea-proven and in operational service with multiple naval forces. Confirmed end-users include the Republic of Singapore Navy and the Lithuanian Navy, with the latest order indicating that additional navies are now joining the user community.

Strategic Implications

The €40 million contract not only reinforces Exail’s industrial momentum but also reflects a broader global shift toward autonomous, expendable systems in naval warfare. As mine threats continue to evolve, particularly in congested littoral zones and strategic chokepoints, demand for systems like K-STER is expected to rise sharply.

With a record backlog, a fully operational production facility in Belgium, and a combat-proven product line, Exail is positioning itself at the forefront of the next generation of mine countermeasure warfare.