As part of the ambitious modernization program of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) mine countermeasures capabilities, Exail has been selected to provide a significant portion of the deliverables for this drone-based solution.

The Singapore Navy has been a long-standing and regular partner of the company for several decades. Exail had notably equipped the Bedok-class MCMVs (Mine Countermeasures Vessels) with its robotic mine clearance solutions and has been supplying expendable underwater drones for several years. This collaboration continues today with the supply of next-generation systems.

As part of this program, the Singapore Navy is equipping itself with its own Unmanned Surface Vessels (USV), provided by the local company ST Engineering. These USVs will integrate various critical systems provided by Exail:

• High-performance inertial navigation systems;
• Underwater acoustic positioning systems;
• Forward-looking sonars (FLS), an innovative sonar model developed by Exail.

To carry out the mine clearance mission, the USVs will also be equipped with Exail’s MIDS systems (Mine Identification and Disposal Systems), consisting of several dozen robotic systems in total including:

• SEASCAN underwater drones for identification missions;
• Expendable K-STER underwater drones that are destroyed during mine neutralization;
• UMISOFT control & command software for the MIDS system drones;
• LARS (Launch and Recovery System) to launch and recover the drones from the USV.

By providing proven and combat-ready solutions, Exail supports the RSN’s mission to secure vital maritime routes while protecting personnel from dangers. With these next-generation systems, the Republic of Singapore Navy will have high-level operational mine clearance capabilities. Exail thus strengthens its partnership with this innovative client and contributes to its forward-thinking approach to mine countermeasures.

Several drone systems of these models have already been ordered by other clients, with volumes in the hundreds of units. They will be produced in series at the drone assembly site in Ostend, Belgium, benefiting from industrial volume effects.

Beyond the Republic of Singapore Navy, other commercial processes are underway in the Asia-Pacific region for robotic mine countermeasure systems. Negotiations are progressing and could lead to short-term notifications.