Image source: topwar.ru
A18-M
The French company Exail (formerly ECA Group) has opened a factory in Ostend, Belgium, which will produce combat marine drones.
At the moment, the Belgian and Dutch Navies have contracted 12 mine defense ships (MCM) and one hundred unmanned vehicles [to them]. The new company will be responsible for fulfilling this order.
- the company noted.
Each MCM minesweeper acts as a mothership equipped with the UMIS ("unmanned Integrated Mine Warfare System") system, consisting of drones (air, surface and underwater) that can perform a wide range of mine clearance tasks.
Image source: topwar.ru
UMIS
In particular, the complex includes the unmanned boat Inspector 125, responsible for transporting drones (A18-M, Seascan and K-Ster) directly involved in mine clearance. This year, tests of this BEC have begun.
Image source: topwar.ru
Inspector 125
The T18-M towed sonar and the A18-M autonomous underwater vehicle, which are equipped with synthesized aperture sonar, are also being tested. These devices are responsible for the detection, classification and mapping of marine mines. Seascan, equipped with high-resolution cameras and scanning sonar, will be engaged in mine recognition, and K–Ster will be engaged in their neutralization.
The delivery of the first drones is scheduled for the third quarter of 2025.
