Tel Aviv, Israel – In a significant defense partnership, Israel and Greece have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Athens to integrate the BlueWhale autonomous submarine system into the Hellenic Navy.

Strategic Advancements in Underwater Defense

Rear Admiral (ret.) Alexandros Diakopoulos, Chairman of the Hellenic Aerospace Industry, described the collaboration as a key step in advancing Greece’s maritime defense capabilities.

“The integration and co-production of BlueWhale deepens bilateral ties and represents a leap toward technological autonomy for our country,” Diakopoulos stated.

The BlueWhale autonomous submarine is designed for:

Anti-submarine warfare
Mine countermeasures
Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations

Capabilities of the BlueWhale System

Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the BlueWhale is a large uncrewed underwater vehicle, measuring:

10.9 meters in length
1.12 meters in diameter
Weighing 5.5 tons

Its missions include:

Covert intelligence gathering
Underwater target detection
Acoustic intelligence collection
Naval mine detection and disposal

One of its key advantages is the ability to operate for several weeks autonomously, reducing costs and risks associated with crewed submarines.

IAI’s Commitment to Advancing Maritime Security

IAI President and CEO Boaz Levy expressed pride in the agreement, stating: “This strategic partnership enhances the defense capabilities of Greece and strengthens our collaboration with the Hellenic Aerospace Industry.”

Dror Bar, IAI’s Executive Vice President, described BlueWhale as a transformational leap in maritime defense, delivering the advanced capabilities of a crewed submarine in an uncrewed format.

International Adoption of BlueWhale

Germany’s Bundeswehr Navy is also incorporating BlueWhale into its Baltic Sea operations, reinforcing the system’s global adoption in modern naval defense strategies.

Looking Ahead

As Israel and Greece deepen their defense ties, the BlueWhale collaboration is expected to enhance Greece’s operational readiness, setting the stage for further technological innovations in naval warfare.