IAI and TKMS deliver BlueWhale large autonomous underwater vehicle to strengthen German Navy capabilities

The ceremony was attended by Jens Plötner, State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Defence, and Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack of the German Navy. The delivery forms part of TKMS’s broader efforts to expand what it describes as the maritime ecosystem of the future.

BlueWhale is a fully autonomous large underwater vehicle designed to support the German Navy in unmanned anti-submarine warfare and covert maritime missions. The system combines reconnaissance, sensor technology and data fusion in a single platform.

Developed by IAI, the vehicle integrates an advanced anti-submarine warfare towed sonar supplied by TKMS through its ATLAS ELEKTRONIK segment. The project represents a joint effort between TKMS and IAI.

Michael Ozegowski, Executive Vice President of TKMS ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, said: “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. The rapid introduction of new technologies is a common goal of industry and the navy and significantly strengthens Germany’s defense capabilities.”

Boaz Levy, President and CEO of IAI, stated: “IAI’s autonomous systems in the air, at sea, on land and in space are in operational use which provides a significant technological advantage, while improving the ability to protect the lives of combatants in the field. 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.”

BlueWhale is capable of conducting reconnaissance operations, detecting targets above and below the sea surface, collecting acoustic information and locating sea mines on the seabed. Its delivery follows intensive testing in the Baltic Sea, described as one of the most demanding and complex operational areas for the German Navy.

The vehicle operates autonomously for extended periods and can cover large maritime areas, acting as an extended sensor arm for manned platforms. Its prospective integration into a broader network reflects TKMS’s integrated systems approach, combining platforms, autonomous systems and a unified software and data architecture.

The companies said the delivery highlights future-oriented cooperation between TKMS, IAI and the German Navy. It also marks another step in advancing innovative unmanned underwater systems.