French Exail secures €40M deal for K-STER C mine neutralisation drones.

French defense technology group Exail announced a roughly €40 million contract on January 5, 2026, to deliver several hundred K-STER C mine neutralisation drones to multiple unnamed naval customers. The deal underscores accelerating global demand for expendable, remotely operated mine countermeasure systems as navies modernize toward autonomous maritime operations.

Exail confirmed on January 5, 2026, that it has secured one of the largest international orders to date for its K-STER C mine neutralisation drone, a compact expendable underwater system designed to identify and destroy naval mines without placing sailors or crewed platforms at risk. Company officials said the approximately €40 million agreement, involving deliveries to several undisclosed naval forces, reflects a broader shift among modern fleets toward fully remote and autonomous mine countermeasures architectures, particularly in contested littoral and chokepoint environments.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The K-STER C allows naval forces to conduct mine neutralisation missions without exposing divers or crewed platforms to direct danger (Picture source: Exail)

The K-STER C is Exail’s dedicated Mine Disposal System designed for the final and most dangerous phase of mine countermeasures operations, when an underwater threat must be physically neutralised. Once a mine has been detected and classified by autonomous underwater vehicles or unmanned surface vessels, the K-STER C is deployed to conduct a controlled approach and destruction sequence. Measuring 1.5 meters in length and weighing 55 kilograms in air, the vehicle combines compact dimensions with high stability, allowing it to operate effectively in confined or turbulent environments where traditional remotely operated vehicles face limitations. Its operational range extends up to 1,500 meters, with a maximum depth rating of 300 meters, enabling engagement of mines across a broad spectrum of littoral and offshore scenarios.

A defining feature of the K-STER C is its tiltable warhead system, capable of orienting the shaped charge through a full plus or minus 90-degree angle. This design allows the drone to accurately aim at seabed mines, moored mines, or threats positioned close to the surface, regardless of orientation. The warhead contains a shaped charge filled with insensitive explosive, providing a high level of safety during handling and deployment while delivering destructive power described by Exail as roughly twice that of comparable systems. With a 2.5-kilogram explosive charge equivalent to 3 kilograms of TNT, the system has demonstrated effectiveness against modern low-signature and insensitive mines that are increasingly deployed by state and non-state actors.

Propulsion is provided by two horizontal and two vertical thrusters, enabling precise maneuvering, hovering, and stabilization even in strong currents or tidal conditions. This capability is critical in real-world mine warfare, where hydrodynamic effects around large objects often degrade vehicle control during the final approach. The drone’s onboard dual-frequency sonar supports long-range target detection and precise terminal guidance, while a color video camera with automatic day and night functionality and an integrated searchlight provides visual confirmation prior to engagement. Endurance is rated at up to one hour, with a maximum speed of five knots, allowing sufficient time for cautious approach and positioning without compromising mission tempo.

As a consumable system, the K-STER C is destroyed during the neutralisation process, a design philosophy that underpins Exail’s long-term business model. Company officials note that this approach ensures predictable replenishment demand throughout the operational life of a mine countermeasures system, particularly during prolonged deployments or high-intensity maritime security operations. Exail stated that it currently maintains a backlog exceeding 1,000 autonomous drones, reflecting the shift by multiple navies from experimental unmanned concepts to industrial-scale procurement.

Production of the newly ordered systems will take place at Exail’s fully operational manufacturing facility in Ostend, Belgium. Developed to support major naval modernization programs, the site is optimized for serial production rather than low-rate bespoke builds. Industry sources familiar with the facility told Army Recognition that the Ostend plant is structured to sustain surge production, a factor increasingly valued by defense ministries seeking rapid stockpiling of attritable systems amid deteriorating maritime security conditions.

Operationally, the K-STER C allows naval forces to conduct mine neutralisation missions without exposing divers or crewed platforms to direct danger. The system can be deployed from a wide range of platforms, including dedicated mine countermeasures vessels, rigid-hull inflatable boats, and unmanned surface vessels, supporting flexible force packages and distributed operations. A secured firing link integrated near the main control console ensures that the detonation sequence remains protected against interference, reinforcing confidence in contested electromagnetic environments.

The €40 million contract highlights a broader strategic trend in naval warfare, where mine warfare is once again emerging as a central concern for fleet planners. With critical sea lanes, ports, and undersea infrastructure increasingly vulnerable to covert mining, systems like K-STER C are becoming essential rather than auxiliary capabilities. For Exail, the deal not only strengthens its order book but also reinforces its position as a key European supplier of combat-proven, autonomous mine warfare solutions at a time when global demand shows no sign of slowing.