The partnership will support the exchange of technologies, systems, payloads and operational architectures. Kongsberg said the companies will combine complementary industrial strengths, technical expertise and operational experience to address evolving defence needs.
“Our goal is to develop highly capable, scalable, and interoperable underwater systems that meet changing operational and defense needs. This includes unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) solutions, and manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T),” said Espen Henriksen, Senior Vice President Uncrewed Platforms at Kongsberg.
Both companies bring maritime expertise to the partnership. Kongsberg said it has capabilities in navigation systems, autonomous underwater vehicles, sonar, sensors and systems integration.
DRASS is known for large subsea platforms, pressure-tolerant battery modules, compact I.R. and optronic periscopes, and payload integration. The companies said these areas provide a basis for joint development in unmanned underwater systems.
“Together, we will build on our complementary strengths in unmanned underwater systems and take the next step into the future,” Henriksen said.
DRASS Chief Executive Sergio Cappelletti said the jointly developed solutions would create links between the companies’ respective systems. “These jointly developed solutions will create an integration bridge between DRASS’s compact submarines and manned underwater systems, and Kongsberg’s unmanned surface vehicles and conventional UUVs,” Cappelletti said.
“By leveraging our respective expertise—particularly through the joint development of Kongsberg and DRASS unmanned vehicles —we can advance interoperable underwater platforms and accelerate progress in this emerging field. Through this partnership, we are creating a unique operational environment, encompassing the broadest spectrum of assets and technologies for littoral waters and beyond,” Cappelletti said.
DRASS combines more than a century of Italian subsea heritage with engineering for underwater operations. Its portfolio includes compact submarines, swimmer delivery vehicles for special forces, unmanned underwater vehicles, saturation diving systems, submarine rescue vessel designs, and integrated training and lockout solutions.
The company also holds key patents across its portfolio. DRASS said it continues to support innovation in both autonomous and manned underwater syste