Norwegian defence company Kongsberg and Spain’s Navantia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore the integration of autonomous underwater vehicles and sonar systems into conventional submarines.
The agreement was signed at the Euronaval trade show in Paris on 4 November. It provides a framework for identifying joint development opportunities and pursuing collaborative projects involving submarine and underwater capabilities.
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A central element of the proposed cooperation is the integration of Kongsberg’s HUGIN autonomous underwater vehicles into conventional submarine platforms.
The companies will also examine advanced sonar technologies and joint initiatives covering future designs, modernisation programmes and new production batches.
Kongsberg executive vice-president and Discovery division president Camilla Kiss said: “Kongsberg and Navantia have complementary capabilities and a shared understanding of what it takes to develop new solutions for underwater operations.
“The next phase of collaboration between the companies will focus on the integration of the HUGIN autonomous underwater vehicles and advanced underwater technologies into conventional submarine platforms.”
Kongsberg will contribute its autonomous and sonar systems expertise, while Navantia will lead the integration of those systems into submarines.
The companies said the work would need to meet the operational standards of the Spanish Navy and other Nato navies.
The agreement follows two earlier arrangements between the companies. In May, Navantia and Kongsberg Naval Services signed a framework agreement covering maintenance, support, modification and modernisation of the Royal Norwegian Navy’s F-310 Fridtjof Nansen-class frigates.
In 2023, Kongsberg and Navantia also agreed to examine the integration of the Naval Strike Missile into Navantia’s ship designs.
