Exail has been awarded a €40 million ($46.8 million) contract to deliver hundreds of K-Ster unmanned underwater mine disposal vehicles to multiple navies, reinforcing the company’s position in the global mine countermeasures market. The order ranks as Exail’s second-largest contract for underwater drones, underscoring sustained demand for autonomous maritime defense solutions.
The deal follows a significant €60 million NATO contract signed in August 2024, highlighting continued investment by allied navies in modern mine warfare capabilities. Exail confirmed that manufacturing of the K-Ster fleet will be carried out at its Ostend production center in Belgium, which has ramped up output since becoming operational in 2022.
The K-Ster system is designed for use during the terminal phase of minehunting operations, where precision and expendability are critical. Each vehicle is considered a consumable asset, intended to approach and neutralize naval mines and, if necessary, be sacrificed during the mission to ensure safe clearance of maritime routes.
The unmanned underwater vehicle can be deployed from surface combatants, auxiliary vessels, or land-based mine countermeasure facilities, offering operational flexibility to naval forces. Measuring 1.5 meters long, 50 centimeters wide, and weighing 50 kilograms, the K-Ster is compact yet capable of operating in demanding underwater conditions.
With a maximum speed of 6 km/h, a dive depth of 300 meters, and an operational range of 2 kilometers, the K-Ster provides navies with a reliable solution for underwater mine disposal across coastal and deeper-water environments.
