JERUSALEM, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- State-owned aerospace and defense company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has delivered its first unmanned underwater vehicle, BlueWhale, to the German Navy, the Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry said in a statement Wednesday.
The submarine was developed jointly by IAI's Elta subsidiary and Germany's Atlas Elektronik, part of German supplier Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.
Israeli media estimated the deal to be worth tens of millions of U.S. dollars, although the official cost was not disclosed.
BlueWhale integrates advanced sensors, onboard data processing, and a high-efficiency battery pack, enabling up to three weeks of continuous operation.
Measuring 10.9 meters in length and weighing approximately 5.5 tonnes, it can dive to depths of 300 meters and is transportable in a standard 40-foot container for rapid deployment by land, air, or sea.
It is designed for stealth and endurance, supporting missions such as anti-submarine warfare, mine countermeasures, and covert intelligence gathering in both open seas and near-shore waters.
The deal is reciprocal, as Israel previously bought five German submarines. The cooperation also includes marketing the BlueWhale submarine to other countries, according to the statement. ■
