Germany receives drone submarine from Israel for undersea warfare

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has delivered the BlueWhale, an advanced autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), to the German Navy, marking the first unmanned submarine developed by an Israeli defense firm. Designed to support unmanned antisubmarine warfare and covert maritime operations, BlueWhale features a sophisticated sensor suite capable of detecting and tracking both surface and subsurface targets, collecting acoustic data, and locating seabed mines. The system processes data onboard to provide real-time actionable intelligence, reducing reliance on external systems and enabling autonomous decision-making. Developed in collaboration with Atlas Elektronik, a subsidiary of TKMS, BlueWhale integrates advanced antisubmarine warfare technologies, including towed sonar capabilities, enhancing its detection and surveillance performance. BlueWhale completed extensive trials in the demanding Baltic Sea environment before being handed over at the Eckernförde naval base. The vehicle is designed for endurance, stealth, and operational flexibility, with a high-efficiency battery system supporting weeks of continuous deployment. Its compact size