Israel and Greece have recently entered into a memorandum of understanding aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Hellenic Navy through the provision of a large-class unmanned underwater system. This collaboration was officially announced during an international defense exhibition held in Athens, marking a significant partnership in defense technology.
The focal point of this agreement is the BlueWhale sub-surface drone, a product of Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) subsidiary, ELTA Systems. This autonomous platform is designed for a variety of critical military applications, including anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures, radar-enabled data collection, signals intelligence, and communication tasks. Its versatility also allows for functions such as acoustic reconnaissance, support for special forces, anti-piracy operations, maritime expeditions, and serving as a conventional submarine wingman.
As part of the project, the state-owned defense firm Hellenic Aerospace Industries (HAI) will play a significant role in the future development and production of the BlueWhale specifically tailored for the Greek navy. The agreement stipulates that IAI will transfer relevant technologies, access, and manufacturing knowledge to HAI, contingent upon meeting the partnership’s requirements.
IAI CEO Boaz Levy emphasized that this collaboration underscores a strong commitment to addressing Greece’s defense priorities with state-of-the-art solutions, while also promoting local industry and long-term regional resilience.
The BlueWhale itself has impressive specifications, measuring 11 meters (36 feet) in length, 1.1 meters (3.6 feet) in diameter, and weighing 6 tons (5,443 kilograms). Its design allows for mission-specific adaptations, equipping users with capabilities such as all-day electro-optic infrared sensors and magnetic systems. This advanced drone operates at a low-noise frequency, cruising at speeds of 7 knots (13 kilometers or 8 miles per hour), with a depth capacity of up to 300 meters (984 feet) and the ability to sustain operations for up to four weeks.
HAI CEO Alexandros Diakopoulos commented that the integration and co-production of the BlueWhale not only strengthen bilateral ties but also signify a substantial step toward achieving technological autonomy for Greece. He further noted that the geographical complexity of the Aegean Sea necessitates robust surveillance capabilities, which can ensure rapid response and operational superiority in the region.
