The Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) has signed a contract with German supplier TKMS Atlas Elektronik GmbH to deliver Towed Array Sonar (TAS) systems for the Royal Danish Navy. These systems will strengthen the Royal Danish Navy’s ability to conduct long-range anti-submarine warfare operations and operate effectively in deep-water environments.
Danish MoD press release – Translated by Naval News
After extensive market research and a targeted procurement process, the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMI) has officially signed a contract with TKMS Atlas Elektronik GmbH for the delivery of advanced towed array sonar systems. The German supplier was selected as its solution best met the Danish Armed Forces’ strict operational requirements for a modern anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability.
“We are very pleased to have signed this contract with TKMS Atlas Elektronik GmbH. This represents a significant investment in the Navy’s future ability to detect and counter underwater threats. The sonar system was carefully chosen based on both technical and operational considerations,” said Bjørn Stege, Chief Engineer and Head of the Weapons and Electronics Department in FMI’s Maritime Division.
Future-proof and integrated solution
The contract was awarded through a direct award process, reflecting the need to update requirements in light of the current security environment. The choice of TKMS Atlas Elektronik GmbH not only ensures compliance with operational demands but also enables effective integration with existing systems, as the company already supplies sonar equipment to the Danish Navy’s frigates.
The new sonar systems feature modern technology that allows seamless communication between the ship’s various sonar assets, significantly enhancing the Navy’s ability to respond rapidly and effectively to underwater threats.
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Naval News comments:
As reported previously by Naval News, the selection of TKMS Atlas Elektronik was made in early 2025. Atlas Elektronik, offering a solution based on its Active Towed Array Sonar (ACTAS) system, was selected ahead of a rival bid from Thales.
The sonar systems will be fitted aboard the two in-service Absalon-class frigates. The ACTAS ‘wet end’ combines a high source level active transmitter (operating at a frequency range of 1.4-2.4 kHz) with a passive line array (covering frequencies between 50 Hz and 10 kHz). A triplet array (employing three hydrophones on a circular section of the array) is used to instantaneously resolve left/right bearing ambiguity.
Atlas Elektronik has previously supplied the ASO 94 medium-frequency hull-mounted sonars fitted to the two Absalon-class ships and the three Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates.
