French defense technology company Exail has secured a major contract to supply several hundred K-Ster unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) to multiple naval forces, strengthening international mine countermeasures capabilities. The deal is valued at €40 million ($46.8 million), marking one of the largest single orders for the company’s underwater drone portfolio.
The award represents Exail’s second-largest UUV contract to date, following a €60 million ($70.2 million) NATO order announced in August 2024. According to the company, the latest agreement reflects growing demand among navies for autonomous mine disposal systems as maritime security challenges increase in both coastal and deep-water environments.
Production of the K-Ster vehicles will take place at Exail’s Ostend facility in Belgium, which opened in 2022 and has been steadily expanding output to support international mine countermeasures programs. The company stated that the drones will primarily be employed in the final phase of minehunting operations, where they act as consumable assets designed to neutralize mines and be destroyed in the process.
The K-Ster unmanned underwater drone is designed for flexible deployment, capable of being launched from naval vessels, small support boats, or shore-based mine countermeasure centers. The system measures 1.5 meters in length, 50 centimeters in width, and weighs 50 kilograms, making it compact and easy to handle during operations.
In terms of performance, the K-Ster can travel at speeds of up to 6 kilometers per hour, dive to depths of 300 meters, and operate within a range of 2,000 meters. These capabilities make it well suited for precise mine disposal missions in a variety of maritime environments.
