European navies are accelerating the modernization of their mine countermeasures (MCM) forces through a new order for several hundred K-Ster mine neutralization vehicles, placed via the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). The contract, valued at approximately 40 million euros, falls under a 2024 framework agreement designed to expedite allied procurement.
This significant acquisition underscores a strategic push within NATO to replace traditional, high-risk MCM operations with advanced autonomous systems. The expendable K-Ster vehicles, which can be deployed from vessels or from shore, allow navies to identify and neutralize underwater mines safely from a distance.
“This new order confirms both the proven operational reliability of K-Ster and Exail’s central role in supporting the modernization of MCM capabilities for NATO navies,” said Jérôme Bendell, Head of Exail’s Maritime Systems Business Line. “We are very proud to see European navies renewing their confidence in our solutions.”
The vehicles will be manufactured at Exail’s dedicated facility in Ostend, Belgium. Operational since 2022, the site represents a sovereign European industrial hub for underwater defense technology. “With our Ostend site now fully scaled up, we are prepared to support navies in the deployment of next-generation MCM capabilities,” Bendell added.
Beyond enhancing fleet safety, the expansion of the K-Ster fleet directly strengthens collective maritime security. It aids in protecting vital sea lanes, securing critical subsea infrastructure, and asserting control in the undersea domain—key priorities for European strategic autonomy. The order also highlights Exail’s integrated position as a partner capable of delivering complete, sovereign MCM solutions, from unmanned vehicles to sophisticated command systems.
