NATO Taps Exail for Belgian, Dutch Minehunting Drones
NATO has contracted Exail Robotics to deliver underwater mine disposal vehicles for the Belgian and Dutch navies.
The agreement covers the K-Ster C drone, associated equipment, and training vehicles for the services.
The vehicles will be manufactured at the company’s Belgian center in Ostend launched in 2022 to fulfill the counties’ mine countermeasure initiatives.
“We are very happy to continue our support of the Belgian and Royal Netherlands Navies and NATO allies with our advanced mine disposal technology,” Exail Chief Commercial Officer Antony Penn stated.
“This new contract is a testament to our commitment to providing innovative and reliable solutions for MCM operations. With our purpose-built facilities in Oostende, we are already fully equipped to deliver these new systems.”
Exail’s K-Ster C
The K-Ster C is a lightweight drone that can deploy from frigates and inflatable boats and perform mine deactivation away from ship or land-based users.
The vehicle is 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) long, has a width of 0.5 meters (1.6 feet), and weighs approximately 50 kilograms (110 pounds).
It is equipped with vertical and horizontal thrusters, backup batteries, a tracking system, auto-pilot software, and a dual-frequency scanner.
The K-Ster C can move up to 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) per hour, has a range of 2,000 meters (6,562 feet), and a service depth of 300 meters (984 feet).
Supporting Mine Countermeasure Vessel Program
Exail’s contract aligns with the Belgian and Dutch governments’ ongoing program signed in 2019 to co-produce up to 12 frigates for minehunting operations.
The vessels, named the City class, will be distributed equally to the nations through 2030.
The fleet’s lead platform “Oostende” (M 940) began its initial sea trials in June. Delivery of the platform is anticipated in the summer of next year, with the Belgian Navy as its future operator.
