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Exail Technologies Continues to Be Major Player by Winning New Contract for Underwater Mine Warfare Drone Systems.
Following an international tender launched several years ago, a leading navy has selected Exail Technologies to supply autonomous drone systems dedicated to underwater mine warfare. This contract, estimated to be worth several hundred million euros, represents a major success for Exail and consolidates the development strategy the group has been pursuing for over a decade. The order is also expected to improve the company’s profitability and strengthen its position in the global mine countermeasures (MCM) market.
A leading navy has selected Exail Technologies to supply autonomous drone systems dedicated to underwater mine warfare. (Picture source: Exail Technologies)
Underwater mines continue to pose a significant threat to freedom of navigation and the security of port approaches. Navies worldwide are therefore seeking to modernize their capabilities for detecting and neutralizing these explosive devices. In this context, the UMIS (Unmanned MCM Integrated System) solution developed by Exail stood out thanks to its high level of integration and modularity.
Already deployed by several allied navies, the UMIS system is characterized by the use of a variety of drone platforms capable of covering the entire MCM spectrum: mine detection, classification, identification, and destruction. Thanks to a unified command and control software architecture, each platform—underwater, surface, or aerial—communicates in real-time, providing the operator with a comprehensive view of the area to be covered.
Equipped with Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) or multibeam systems, these autonomous underwater vehicles (UUVs) can map the seabed at high resolution and detect potential threats.
All of these drones are interconnected through the UMIS command and control software, which merges data, displays the tactical situation in real-time, and facilitates the coordination of operations.
Fleet modernization and the rise of autonomous technologies are a priority for many navies, keen to reduce human exposure to risk and improve mission efficiency. Exail’s success illustrates the growing importance of drones in naval operations, whether it be for protecting international sea lanes or supporting peacekeeping missions.
By securing this contract, Exail Technologies establishes itself as a key player in naval robotics and mine warfare, confirming the relevance of its long-term strategy. Deliveries, spread over four years, will rapidly equip this leading navy with cutting-edge technology. In the longer term, this international reference could pave the way for further commercial successes, as many navies seek to renew their mine countermeasures capabilities in the coming years.
Formed through the merger of renowned players in underwater robotics and precision navigation (notably ECA Group and iXblue), Exail Technologies offers a comprehensive range of naval, aerial, and land solutions dedicated to defense and security. Its expertise spans from the design of drones and their sensors to end-to-end software integration. With more than 10 years of research and development in the field of mine warfare, Exail is now positioned as a global leader in this sector.