The German Navy has taken delivery of an Israeli-made BlueWhale underwater drone intended for reconnaissance and detecting “hybrid threats at sea.”
Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries in cooperation with thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), the system was handed over at Eckernförde Naval Base following a two-week operational trial in the Baltic Sea in November 2024.
The testing evaluated BlueWhale’s underwater intelligence-gathering and target-acquisition performance, as well as its potential for covert surface reconnaissance.
Procurement details were not disclosed, but the German military said the results were sufficient to prompt a rapid decision to acquire multiple units.
“With the acquisition of the first BlueWhale, we are consistently implementing the Navy’s strategy for introducing unmanned underwater systems,” Inspector of the German Navy Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack said.
“We have relied on proven technology on the market, radically shortened decision-making processes, and involved the troops in the procurement process from the very beginning. And all this in just a few months instead of years.”
Part of Modernization Drive
As an unmanned platform, BlueWhale is intended to provide longer endurance, reduced operating costs, and lower risk to personnel compared to crewed submarines.
Acting as an extended sensor arm for manned vessels, it can operate closer to potential threats while collecting data above and below the surface through advanced sonar and satellite-linked sensors.
The fully autonomous large underwater vehicle was developed by IAI to support anti-submarine warfare and covert maritime missions. It integrates an advanced towed sonar supplied by TKMS’ ATLAS ELEKTRONIK division.
The 11-meter (36-foot) vehicle measures about 1.12 meters (3.67 feet) in diameter and weighs roughly 5.5 tonnes. Compact enough to fit inside a standard 12.9-meter (40-foot) shipping container, it can be transported and deployed by land, air, or sea.
“TKMS is consistently expanding its capabilities in the autonomous sector. We are proud to support the navy as part of its ‘Kurs Marine 2035+’ future plan and to actively respond to current security threats with our solutions,” said Michael Ozegowski, Executive Vice President of TKMS ATLAS ELEKTRONIK.
Deepening Israel-Germany Defense Ties
The delivery comes amid expanding defense cooperation between Berlin and Jerusalem.
In January, the two countries signed a security pact to broaden joint efforts in counterterrorism and cyber defense.
“The delivery of the BlueWhale to the German Navy demonstrates the close cooperation we have with TKMS ATLAS ELEKTRONIK and the degree of mutual trust between Israel and Germany,” said IAI President and CEO Boaz Levy.
