Elbit Systems to Unveil Unmanned Submarine at Paris Defense Expo
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Elbit Systems will debut its unmanned submarines at the Euronaval 2026 exhibition in Paris, following its acquisition of Canadian firm ISE. These submarines are designed for various intelligence and defense missions and are entering a market with growing demand due to cost and personnel challenges of manned vessels. Israel Aerospace Industries also produces an unmanned submarine, and both companies are expected to offer their systems to the Israeli Ministry of Defense amid regional naval competition.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Elbit Systems will unveil its unmanned submarines at the Euronaval 2026 exhibition in Paris next week.
- The acquisition of Canadian firm ISE has integrated unmanned submarine capabilities into Elbit's portfolio.
- Unmanned underwater vehicles are in high demand due to the high costs and crew challenges of manned submarines.
- Russia's actions and Iran's mining activities have increased Western naval demand for underwater intelligence and counter-threat capabilities.
- Israel Aerospace Industries also produces an unmanned submarine, the 'Blue Whale', which has been sold to the German Navy.
- Both Elbit and IAI are expected to offer their unmanned underwater systems to the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
Elbit Systems will showcase its new unmanned submarines for the first time at the Euronaval 2026 exhibition in Paris next week. This capability was integrated following the company's recent acquisition of Canadian firm ISE, which has 50 years of experience and has supplied over 250 underwater vehicles to more than 20 countries. The submarines, measuring up to 10 meters in length, are designed for intelligence gathering, mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare, seabed mapping, and protecting critical maritime infrastructure. They feature autonomous operation, sonar systems, cameras, and mission-specific sensors, complementing Elbit's existing unmanned surface vessels and sonar buoy manufacturing capabilities, including the 2020 acquisition of U.S. sonar buoy maker Sparton.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) also produces an unmanned submarine, the "Blue Whale," and has sold one to the German Navy. While IAI's Blue Whale offers greater diving depth (1,000 meters versus ISE's Theus at 300 meters), ISE's submarines have a longer operational endurance, potentially up to a month compared to the Blue Whale's approximately 60 hours. The demand for unmanned underwater vehicles is rapidly increasing in the West due to the high costs and crew recruitment challenges associated with manned submarines. Russia's actions targeting Western communication cables and Iran's mining activities in the Strait of Hormuz have heightened the need for Western navies to acquire advanced reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and underwater counter-threat capabilities.
Both IAI and Elbit Systems are expected to offer their unmanned underwater capabilities to the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Despite the Israeli Navy recently receiving its sixth advanced submarine, INS Drakon, it faces a quantitative disadvantage against Turkey's significantly larger and increasingly hostile submarine fleet. "Navies worldwide are increasingly seeking comprehensive autonomous solutions for complex maritime missions," stated Oren Sebbag, CEO of Elbit Systems Intelligence and Electro-Optics. "Adding these capabilities to Elbit's offering strengthens our ability to provide customers with a holistic operational solution, including autonomous surface and underwater systems, payloads, and mission management capabilities."
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