Ostend (Belgium) – July 15, 2026 – Exail has been awarded a contract by a European navy to deliver three light Mine Countermeasures (MCM) systems. Designed for rapid deployment from Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIBs), these systems will allow naval forces to identify and neutralize underwater mines quickly.
Each system integrates Exail’s UMIS technology into a 9.5-meter RHIB, primarily configured to deploy an adaptable combination of three mine identification and disposal vehicles (Seascan and K-Ster ) tailored to specific mission requirements. To support these operations, the boat is also equipped with a drone piloting console, a dedicated launch-and-recovery berth, and Exail’s Gaps USBL acoustic positioning and communication system.
Driven by Exail’s Umisoft software, the system can be operated by a crew of three. This compact and modular setup is specifically developed for very shallow waters and infrastructure-limited environments where larger vessels cannot operate. It allows mine clearance and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams to quickly deploy and adapt the equipment to specific mission requirements, while drastically reducing the logistical footprint.
“Navies need MCM capabilities that are faster to deploy, easier to operate, and ready for increasingly complex maritime threats,” said Gregory Leclercq, Business Developer at Exail. “This contract demonstrates the value of our UMIS approach: a modular system tailored to each customer’s operational needs while maintaining the reliability expected from modern mine warfare solutions.”
While not included in this current contract, the RHIB-based system can also accommodate alternative payloads, such as Exail’s A9-M autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), R7 remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or small third-party UAVs, offering flexibility for future missions.
This contract illustrates how Exail’s technologies adapt to various operational scales, from large naval platforms to light, rapid-intervention craft, supporting navies as they protect strategic maritime access and deploy advanced capabilities closer to the field.
photo courtesy Exail
