Bellerup, Denmark – August 20, 2025 – Gabler, a leading provider of submarine systems, and FLANQ, a European innovator in autonomous maritime platforms, today announced a strategic partnership to co-develop and deliver a new class of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) specifically designed for submarine torpedo tube launch (TTL). The announcement was made on the opening day of DALO Industry Days 2025, the largest defence industry exhibition in Scandinavia

This collaboration aims to deliver affordable sub-surface deployed USVs for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations, as well as single-use tactical missions – significantly enhancing the operational flexibility of European and NATO maritime forces.

The USVs will be fully compatible with standard submarine torpedo tubes, enabling covert deployment without diver assistance. This capability provides a critical advantage for operations in denied, contested, or high-threat environments, where traditional surface or aerial naval assets may be compromised.

Both single-use and reusable USV models will be developed and produced by the two companies, incorporating sovereign suppliers and industrial partners throughout Europe. The expendable variants are designed for one-way missions, such as precision strike, while the reusable platforms will support extended ISR missions with recovery options via host platforms or surface assets.

Under the agreement, Gabler will lead system integration, commercialisation, and delivery to navies globally – building on its market leading portfolio of hoistable mast systems, submarine control technologies, and communication buoys. FLANQ will oversee design, manufacturing and payload integration – drawing on its expertise in modularity, autonomy, and scalable platform engineering.

This joint initiative directly addresses the increasing demand among European and NATO naval forces for autonomous systems capable of operating in complex and contested maritime environments. By enabling submarines to deploy low-cost, mass-produceable USVs for a wide range of missions – from littoral surveillance to deep-sea reconnaissance – this solution delivers domain advantage without compromising stealth.

“Today’s announcement on the opening day of DALO 2025 reflects our shared commitment to strengthening European and allied undersea defence capabilities at pace and cost,” said Lennart Glas, Business Development Manager at Gabler. “By combining FLANQ’s strengths in autonomy, sensor payloads, and rapid manufacturing with Gabler’s six decades of expertise in high-reliability submarine systems, we are fully focussed on delivering mission-specific USVs ready for in theatre testing and evaluation at the earliest opportunity.”

“The development of these platforms comes at a pivotal time for European and allied naval forces,” said Daniel Esser, Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder at FLANQ. “Our rapidly produced USVs with their Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) payloads from sovereign partners – paired with Gabler’s know-how in submarine engineering and operations – will help deliver persistent ISR and tactical reach at scale, speed and value.”