The unveiling of the BlueWhale unmanned submarine during the Repmus NATO exercise marked a significant milestone in Israel's maritime capabilities. This cutting-edge vessel, a collaborative effort between the Israeli Aerospace Industry (IAI) and the German company Atlas Elektronik, showcased a range of intelligence-gathering capabilities both at sea and on shore.
The Repmus NATO exercise, led by the Portuguese Navy and NATO, has been an annual event for seven years, drawing participants from 30 countries, including academics, defense industries, and armed forces. The focus of this year's exercise was unmanned naval systems, and it provided the ideal platform for the world to witness the debut of Israel's BlueWhale submarine.
The #Israeli IAI introduced an unmanned autonomous submarine #BlueWhale š®š± pic.twitter.com/wEGTS1HPWQ
ā Dana Levi ×× ×š®š±šŗšøš¬š§ (@Danale) May 4, 2023
One of the standout features of the BlueWhale is its intelligence-gathering prowess. Equipped with a telescopic mast that rises above the water during submersion, similar to a periscope, this submarine boasts radar and electro-optical systems that enable the detection of targets both at sea and on the coastline. Satellite communication antennas on the mast ensure that real-time information collected by the BlueWhale is transmitted to command posts anywhere in the world, whether they are at sea or on land. Additionally, the submarine is equipped with a sonar system spanning tens of meters on each side, enabling it to detect submarines and gather acoustic intelligence.
The significance of this technological achievement extends beyond the confines of the Repmus exercise. According to the VMR research institute, the market for military unmanned submarines is projected to grow from $3.4 billion in 2021 to a staggering $8 billion by 2030. This rapid expansion underscores the strategic importance of this sector. Given that the Israeli Aerospace Industry reported a net profit of $165 million in the first half of the year, it is evident why they are keenly interested in this burgeoning market.
The collaboration between IAI and Atlas Elektronik not only advances military technology but also strengthens diplomatic ties. Israel's participation in this exercise further solidifies its relationship with Europe, particularly Portugal, with the support of the Israeli Embassy in Portugal under Ambassador Dor Shapira and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
NATO exercises with new maritime unmanned systems in Portugal šµš¹
ā NATO (@NATO) September 20, 2023
During exercises #DynamicMessenger & #REPMUS, Allies & partners will focus on the integration of new maritime technologies into #NATO operations & the ability of autonomous underwater vehicles to operate together
Boaz Levy, CEO of IAI, emphasized the significance of their participation in Repmus, stating, "Participation in the Repmos exercise also demonstrates our leadership in the maritime sector and reveals a touch of the joint work with NATO countries, whose systems of the aerospace industry are integrated into their security agencies." Michael Ozegowski, Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Elektronik, highlighted the the "long-standing and trusting cooperation between German and Israeli naval industry partners. In close collaboration with ELTA, we developed a state-of-the-art system solution enabling high-impact ASW operations with minimum infrastructure requirements. The Atlas Elektronik towed passive sonar triplet array and advanced transmitter solution is optimized for long-endurance autonomous operations. A solution that meets operational needs and capabilities in an efficient and cost-effective way."
