The Mangrove consortium, lead by Sweden’s Saab, has been selected by Nato for the Allied Underwater Battlespace Mission Network project (AUWB-MN).
The project, which officially started on 1 September 2025, aims to enhance interoperability among maritime uncrewed systems and traditional platforms across Nato member nations.
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AUWB-MN will focus on developing a Reference Architecture and a Test and Reference Environment for a mission network.
This network will integrate both crewed and uncrewed systems operating above and below the water.
The goal is to enable rapid and secure information sharing and integration across different military branches, thereby supporting joint operations.
The anticipated outcome of this project is to establish a new standard for Nato operations.
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By GlobalDataSaab’s Kockums head Mats Wicksell said: “All of the MANGROVE consortium’s expertise and collaborative focus for the next 12 months will be on the successful development of a mission network for Nato’s operations in the underwater battlespace.
“As all aspects of the underwater domain grow in their strategic significance, this will be a critical contribution to our collective maritime security and defence.”
The MANGROVE consortium includes CETENA and IDS from Fincantieri Group, FlySight, GraalTech, Miraya, Saab UK and BlueBear, S2IX, and the University of Plymouth.
The selection of the consortium was finalised in July 2025.
The AUWB-MN project forms part of Nato’s broader Digital Ocean and Antisubmarine Warfare Barrier Smart Defence Initiative.
It is backed by 12 nations, including the UK, Sweden, the US, Australia, Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Canada, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway.
NATO Antisubmarine Warfare Barrier Smart Defence Initiative project director David Burton said: “The AUWB-MN project is a significant step forward in the modernisation of our warfighting capabilities and the ability for Nato allies to operate effectively together in the underwater domain of the future.
“We are confident that Saab and the Mangrove consortium will deliver a robust and effective mission network that strengthens Nato’s maritime defence.”
