While Germany’s military might commonly conjures images of its prominent army, the Deutsche Marine, or German Navy, holds its ground with advanced technological innovations despite its modest size compared to giants like the U.S. Navy.

The latest addition to its arsenal is the unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV), which could redefine its approach to naval intelligence and warfare.

Developed not in Germany but by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Elta Systems Ltd., the UUV named BlueWhale, began its testing phase in the Baltic Sea in November 2024.

This new technology promises to enhance the navy’s capabilities significantly, focusing on anti-submarine warfare and acoustic reconnaissance.

The BlueWhale is akin to a small submarine in appearance, devoid of a crew, which allows for extensive space dedicated to its primary mission of gathering information.

It spans almost 36 feet in length and manages to displace 5.5 tons of seawater. Impressively, it can reach depths of 984 feet and travel at 7 knots, all while remaining submerged for up to 30 days.

This vessel is equipped with a watertight mast that supports various sensors, enabling real-time broadband satellite communications from any global location.

The type of sensors tested remains undisclosed by the Deutsche Marine, but the focus is clearly set on bolstering its anti-submarine efforts.

The potential integration of technologies like Active Towed Array Sonar (TAS) and Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS), which aid in naval mine detection and seafloor mapping, signifies a leap towards modernizing its fleet in alignment with its ‘Marine 2035 and Beyond’ strategy.

IAI and Atlas Elektronik introduced this system in May 2023, painting a promising future for the Deutsche Marine as a significant player in global naval intelligence gathering.