KNDS and SeaOwl unveil a kamikaze sea drone with a 30 kg warhead to stop drone attacks
Franco-German defense group KNDS and France's SeaOwl Technology Solutions announced at Euronaval 2026 that they will develop and test an uncrewed surface vessel carrying a 30 kg KNDS warhead. It is a suicide drone, destroyed on use. The companies claim a top speed of 35 knots and a combat range of up to 200 km.
SeaOwl managing director Mathieu Glade told Reuters it can be launched from up to seven metres high, deployed in swarms and used to intercept drones attacking ports and oil terminals. He said SeaOwl is talking to potential clients in Europe and the Middle East. It navigates autonomously, but the companies say a remote operator makes the final call to fire.
Why it matters
Drones are increasingly used to attack ports and shipping in the Middle East and the Black Sea, Reuters notes. This is still a development deal: no order, delivery date or contract value has been announced.
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- Reuters World (@ReutersWorld) on X
- Reuters, via Euronext: Defence firm KNDS launches suicide drone with startup SeaOwl
- KNDS press release (Euronaval 2026)
- Armees.com (French)
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Summarized by Servospace from the sources above, drafted with AI help and checked against those sources before publishing. Claims are the companies' or outlets' unless we say otherwise. How we work.