Exail: la NATO effettua un nuovo ordine di droni sottomarini K-Ster per diverse marine europee

>Exail has announced a new order worth approximately €40 million for several hundred additional K-Ster mine-neutralizing vehicles, placed through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). This order falls under the framework agreement established in 2024, which allows all Alliance navies to rapidly acquire these systems through a simplified procurement process.

>This acquisition confirms the strong momentum among European navies towards a comprehensive modernization of their mine countermeasures (MCM) capabilities through the adoption of autonomous systems. A European leader in this field, Exail plays a key role in the ongoing transition to safer and more effective unmanned MCM operations.

>The K-Ster underwater drones ordered by European navies will be produced on Exail’s assembly lines in Ostend, Belgium. Opened in 2022, the site is now fully operational and supports major modernization programs for mine countermeasures systems.

>Renewed confidence in a European strategic partner

>“We are very proud to see European navies renew their confidence in our mine countermeasures solutions. This new order confirms the proven operational reliability of the K-Ster and Exail’s central role in modernizing NATO navies’ mine countermeasures capabilities. With our Ostend site now fully operational, we are ready to support navies in deploying their next-generation mine countermeasures capabilities,” said Jérôme Bendell, CEO of Exail’s maritime division.

>Strengthening maritime security and sovereignty

>This order, which bolsters NATO navies’ K-Ster fleets, directly contributes to securing maritime communication routes, protecting critical maritime infrastructure, and strengthening control of the underwater domain – essential strategic priorities for European nations. It also demonstrates Exail’s ability to provide sovereign industrial solutions, thanks to its complete mastery of all the essential components of modern mine countermeasures systems.