EU Investing in Military Underwater Drones

DID Press: For the first time, two European countries have signed a contract worth over €100 million with the German company “EuroAtlass” to purchase autonomous underwater drones. This move reflects European governments’ increasing efforts to strengthen their defense capabilities amid the growing threat from Russia.

According to Reuters, the drone, named the “Gray Shark,” has multiple capabilities, including monitoring submarine cables, tracking submarines, and detecting mines. However, its high cost and the challenges of long-duration operations at deep sea depths pose significant technical difficulties.

EuroAtlass said that the current model is unarmed and has “special” military applications, though further details have not been disclosed. The current version can remain underwater for up to 5.5 days, and the company is developing a version with an operational endurance of up to 16 weeks.

Reports indicate that other countries in Europe and Asia are also interested in acquiring this technology. The use of maritime drones in the Russia–Ukraine war has further highlighted their strategic importance.