IAI and HAI team to offer BlueWhale AUV to Hellenic Navy

Israel Aerospace Industries and Hellenic Aerospace Industry have signed an MOU to work together to equip the Hellenic Navy with IAI's BlueWhale. (Israel Aerospace Industries)

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) have joined forces to offer IAI's BlueWhale large autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to the Hellenic Navy.

Under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed at the Defence Exhibition Athens (DEFEA) international defence and security show in Athens, Greece, on 7 May, HAI will leverage its expertise in designing and manufacturing complex technological systems to play an active role in the development and production of BlueWhale for the Hellenic Navy.

Through the strategic arrangement, IAI will grant HAI access to its technology and provide opportunities for technology transfer and active involvement in projects of operational significance.

Announcing the strategic partnership on 7 May the two companies said the arrangement represented a “significant milestone” in the mutual defence and business co-operation between the two countries.

IAI president and CEO Boaz Levy said the collaboration reflected the company's commitment to supporting Greece's defence priorities by offering “cutting-edge, operationally proven” capabilities while supporting local industry, technological independence, and long-term regional resilience.

HAI's CEO Rear Admiral (retd) Alexandros Diakopoulos said the strategic collaboration would help to strengthen Greece's undersea defence capabilities. “The potential integration and co-production of BlueWhale deepens the bilateral ties and represents a leap towards technological autonomy for our country,” he said. The Aegean Sea is characterised by complex geography and the ability to conduct persistent surveillance would ensure rapid response and operational advantage, he added.