Israel Aerospace Signs Deal to Equip Greek Navy with Autonomous Submarines

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has signed an agreement to sell its BlueWhale autonomous submarine system, also known as the BlueWhale XLUUV, to the Greek Navy, with the deal announced at the DEFEA 2025 defense exhibition in Athens. The BlueWhale is a large uncrewed underwater vehicle weighing 5.5 tons, capable of performing a wide range of covert maritime missions such as intelligence gathering, anti-submarine warfare, acoustic intelligence collection, and mine detection, and can operate for several weeks autonomously. As part of the partnership, Greece’s Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) will be actively involved in the production, technological evolution, and will receive technology transfer from IAI, deepening the strategic defense ties between Israel and Greece. The system has demonstrated operational capabilities through extensive real-world diving hours and has also undergone testing with the German Navy. Israeli officials highlighted that the collaboration strengthens Greece's undersea defense capabilities and promotes technological independence and regional stability. This agreement represents a significant advancement in maritime defense innovation and bilateral cooperation between the two countries.