Elbit to unveil underwater drones as it expands autonomous naval portfolio
The first public presentation of its UUV capabilities will feature technology acquired from ISE, whose systems have been delivered to customers in more than 20 countries.
Elbit Systems will present its unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) capabilities for the first time at Euronaval 2026, expanding its autonomous naval portfolio beyond surface vessels after acquiring Canadian subsea robotics specialist International Submarine Engineering (ISE).
The planned debut comes amid restrictions on Israeli defense companies at the French naval exhibition. CTech has reported that Israeli exhibitors will be limited to displaying air-defense and missile-interception systems, raising questions about how Elbit will showcase its new underwater capabilities at the event.
Based in the Vancouver area, ISE develops and manufactures autonomous underwater vehicles, remotely operated vehicles, robotics and computer control systems. Elbit said the addition is intended to strengthen its capabilities in underwater intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, mine countermeasures and anti-submarine warfare.
The acquisition gives Elbit access to a business that has delivered more than 250 underwater vehicles to customers in over 20 countries. The systems are designed for missions including intelligence gathering, mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare, seabed mapping and the protection of critical maritime infrastructure.
Elbit plans to showcase the UUV portfolio alongside its Seagull family of unmanned surface vessels and other naval technologies. The company says integrating the platforms could enable coordinated operations above and below the water, combining autonomous vehicles with sensors, sonar, communications and mission-management systems.
The company has not disclosed which specific ISE models it intends to incorporate into its wider portfolio or provided a timetable for their integration. The precise effect of the French restrictions on the planned presentation also remains unclear.
