Kongsberg, DRASS link up on next-gen underwater defense systems

June 9, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

Norwegian defense technology company Kongsberg and Italian subsea engineering firm DRASS have entered into a partnership to develop advanced underwater defense solutions.

Announced on June 8, the collaboration will focus on the exchange and integration of technologies, systems, payloads, and operational architectures. The partnership will combine industrial capabilities and technical expertise to create advanced underwater solutions for defense applications.

According to the companies, the initiative will support the development of highly autonomous underwater systems, including unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) solutions, and manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) capabilities.

“Our goal is to develop highly capable, scalable, and interoperable underwater systems that meet changing operational and defense needs. This includes unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) solutions, and manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T),” said Espen Henriksen, Senior Vice President Uncrewed Platforms at Kongsberg.

“Together, we will build on our complementary strengths in unmanned underwater systems and take the next step into the future.”

KONGSBERG contributes expertise in navigation systems, autonomous underwater vehicles, sonar technologies, sensors, and systems integration, while DRASS specializes in subsea platforms, pressure-tolerant battery systems, compact optronic periscopes, and payload integration.

The partners said the jointly developed solutions are expected to support greater interoperability between manned and unmanned underwater platforms. DRASS noted the collaboration could help link its compact submarines and manned underwater systems with Kongsberg’s unmanned surface vessels and conventional UUVs.

The partnership aims to accelerate the development of interoperable underwater platforms capable of operating across a range of maritime environments, from littoral waters to deeper offshore areas, it was concluded.