Norwegian firm Kongsberg and Italy-based DRASS have signed a strategic partnership aimed at developing new underwater defense technologies that combine manned and unmanned platforms.
The agreement will focus on exchanging technologies, payloads, systems, and operational architectures to support future underwater missions, from coastal waters to deeper offshore areas.
The companies said the collaboration will target areas such as unmanned underwater vehicles, maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems, and manned-unmanned teaming capabilities.
Kongsberg brings expertise in autonomous underwater vehicles, sonar systems, sensors, navigation technologies, and systems integration. Meanwhile, DRASS contributes experience in compact submarines, subsea platforms, pressure-tolerant battery systems, optronic periscopes, and payload integration.
“Together, we will build on our complementary strengths in unmanned underwater systems and take the next step into the future,” Espen Henriksen, Senior Vice President of Uncrewed Platforms at Kongsberg, said.
Kongsberg Partnerships
The DRASS agreement is the latest in a series of partnerships Kongsberg has established to expand its defense portfolio and international reach.
In May, the firm signed a memorandum of understanding with Canada’s OSI Maritime Systems to collaborate on submarine navigation technologies. This was in support of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, which aims to replace the Royal Canadian Navy’s Victoria-class fleet with up to 12 conventionally powered submarines.
Earlier, in November 2025, Kongsberg Australia partnered with Leidos to explore integrating the Naval Strike Missile (NSM) with next-generation uncrewed surface vessels.
That followed a March 2025 agreement between Norway and Germany to cooperate on sustaining and maintaining the NSM, with the goal of improving efficiency and long-term support.
