Germany is close to buying the Israeli BlueWhale unmanned submarine

BlueWhale submarine

Germany and Israel are in the final stages of negotiations on the possible purchase of an autonomous unmanned BlueWhale submarine developed by the Israeli company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). It is reported that negotiations between the two countries have reached an advanced stage, which may lead to one of the most significant contracts in the field of underwater technologies in recent years.

Germany's interest in BlueWhale arose against the background of growing threats in the underwater area, especially after numerous incidents of damage to underwater communications and increased activity of foreign submarines in the Baltic Sea. The German Navy has long expressed interest in advanced solutions in the field of underwater surveillance and anti-submarine defense.

Last year, the Bundeswehr conducted two weeks of intensive BlueWhale testing as part of its Operational Experiment (OPEX) program. These tests were conducted with the participation of Israeli specialists and the German defense company Atlas Elektronik. The test area was not chosen by chance — the Baltic Sea is considered one of the most difficult waters for underwater navigation and sonar surveillance.

The BlueWhale unmanned submarine is a high-tech AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) type device capable of carrying out long-term missions of exploration, monitoring and detection of other underwater objects without the need for constant control from the surface. Its potential acquisition could be an important step in modernizing Germany's submarine forces and improving the country's maritime security.