Greece to use Israeli BlueWhale unmanned submarine to improve maritime intelligence gathering.

During the DEFEA 2025 defense exhibition in Athens, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to offer the BlueWhale autonomous submarine system to the Hellenic Navy. This agreement formalizes a bilateral defense cooperation project involving the integration of IAI’s BlueWhale unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) into Greek naval operations, with HAI assuming a key role in its development and production.
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In November 2024, the German Navy conducted a two-week operational evaluation of the BlueWhale, a large displacement uncrewed underwater vehicle (XLUUV), in the Baltic Sea. (Picture source: German MoD)

The Greek Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) will participate in technological processes related to the system's adaptation, and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will provide access to its advanced know-how and facilitate a transfer of technology. The agreement is intended to enhance maritime security capabilities, strengthen national defense industries, promote regional stability, and contribute to technological self-sufficiency. The collaboration reflects ongoing efforts by both parties to expand their involvement in the domain of autonomous maritime systems.

The BlueWhale, designated ELI-3325, is developed by IAI Elta and classified as a large displacement uncrewed underwater vehicle (XLUUV). It is 10.9 meters in length, has a diameter of 1.12 meters, and weighs 5.5 tons. The vehicle is powered by a high-efficiency lithium-ion battery system housed in its pressure hull, providing an operational endurance between 10 and 30 days depending on mission profile and energy demands. The platform supports fully electric propulsion and is designed to perform covert underwater missions at operational speeds of 2 to 3 knots and a maximum submerged speed of 7 knots. It is capable of diving to a depth of up to 300 meters. It is transportable by land, air, and sea using a standard 40-foot shipping container, which enables rapid deployment and mobility for diverse mission sets in coastal, littoral, and open-sea environments.

The BlueWhale system is intended to carry out a wide range of missions, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), acoustic intelligence (ACINT), mine countermeasures (MCM), support for special operations, and the detection of piracy, terrorism, and illegal maritime activity. It features a modular sensor and payload suite, both on its surface mast and within its submerged hull. The patented deployable mast includes antennas for secure broadband SATCOM communication, a staring radar, electro-optical and infrared sensors (EO/IR), and radar electronic support measures (R-ESM). These surface-level sensors provide persistent ISR capability and allow the system to transmit real-time data. When submerged, the BlueWhale carries a towed array sonar (TAS) developed by Atlas Elektronik, active and passive flank array sonar (FAS) for the detection of vessels and submarines, synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) developed by Kraken for mine detection and high-resolution seabed mapping, and magnetic sensors for mine verification.

The vehicle’s onboard mission processing is conducted using an internal computer system equipped with artificial intelligence algorithms. These algorithms process acoustic data, generate geolocation information, manage mission logs, and allow for the selective transfer of data packets during or after the operation. The BlueWhale’s command and control architecture includes a human-machine interface (HMI) designed for use by two personnel, a vehicle operator and a sonar payload specialist. This setup allows remote management of mission parameters, power resources, communication systems, and the sensor array. The platform is compatible with multi-static and bi-static detection strategies. In bi-static operations, a surface platform functions as an acoustic pinger while the BlueWhale, operating passively, collects sonar data. This approach is intended to extend the surveillance area and complicate adversarial submarine operations in environments previously difficult to monitor effectively.

Operational validation of the BlueWhale system includes more than 2,000 hours of mission use in various ocean basins. The platform has been fielded in several international naval exercises, notably in NATO’s REPMUS and Dynamic Messenger exercises in 2023. During these activities, the system operated as part of a task force and was tasked with ISR and ASW roles in high-complexity maritime environments. In November 2024, the German Navy conducted a two-week operational evaluation of the system in the Baltic Sea. The tests were carried out under the Bundeswehr’s Operational Experimentation (OPEX) program, with coordination between IAI, Atlas Elektronik, and the Bundeswehr Technical Center for Ships and Naval Weapons (WTD 71). The test campaign assessed performance in confined and high-traffic maritime areas, with specific attention to passive submarine tracking and sensor integration within Germany’s existing naval architecture.

In addition to its primary mission set, BlueWhale is intended to support amphibious operations by transmitting real-time video and geolocation data to assist special forces. Its forward-scout capability allows it to operate ahead of conventional naval forces and identify submerged or surface threats before the main fleet enters an area. Its low acoustic and magnetic signatures, due to its electric propulsion and use of composite materials, reduce the likelihood of detection by enemy sensors or triggering influence mines. The vehicle’s design supports future enhancements, including autonomous at-sea charging, increased payload flexibility, and improvements in endurance. According to IAI representatives, the system can also be adapted to meet specific user requirements and new mission sets through modular configuration changes.

The unveiling of the BlueWhale system took place during UDT 2023, where IAI presented a virtual simulation of the platform’s operations using immersive VR technology. Attendees could observe ISR mission scenarios involving the detection of naval tracks via AESA radar and EO/IR sensors, with real-time transmission of information over SATCOM to command authorities. During the same event, IAI officials stated that a submarine attempting to detect BlueWhale would require prior intelligence and active search procedures due to the platform’s low profile and operational depth. The system is also capable of remaining submerged during its entire mission, with only the mast surfacing when communication is required, further enhancing stealth characteristics.