German Armed Forces press release – Translated by Naval News
After the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag had previously approved the project, the President of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) signed the framework contract for the purchase of the marketable drones. Starting in 2024, the project will be financed from the special assets for the Bundeswehr.
The contractor, ATLAS Elektronik GmbH, will supply a total of four autonomous underwater reconnaissance drones and ensure their integration on the minehunting boats. The contract also provides for the adaptation of the existing training and testing facility. As a so-called on-demand service, additional drones can be ordered at short notice if required.
Underwater reconnaissance is an essential component of national and alliance defense. The drones now in operation enable the presentation of a comprehensive underwater situation picture, which serves as the basis for decisions at all levels. Using high-resolution synthetic aperture sonar (SAS), the unarmed drones scan the seabed at depths of up to 300 meters for potentially dangerous objects. Compared to a Class 332 minehunting boat that does not use drones, they have three times the area search performance.
The data collected is processed during the operation so that targeted measures can be initiated with the sea mine countermeasures forces as quickly as possible.
The Bundeswehr expects to receive its first drone in late 2024, and the first minehunting boat is being prepared for integration at the same time. The four drones, the adapted training and test facility in Kiel, spare parts and various container modules are expected to be available to the armed forces by mid-2026.
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Naval News comments:
Germany follows the UK in selecting the SeaCat AUV. ATLAS Elektronik won a Royal Navy contract in April 2022.
