This collaboration marks another major step in Exail’s long-standing presence in the UAE region
Exail announced on March 12 its collaboration with EDGE Group entity Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) to develop next-generation autonomous Mine Countermeasure (MCM) solutions in the UAE. This strategic partnership reinforces Exail’s commitment to delivering modular, interoperable and autonomous systems that enhance naval forces’ MCM capabilities in the UAE.
As part of this collaboration, ADSB has launched the 170M Detector, a 17-metre vessel designed for high-performance MCM operations. Equipped with advanced autonomous control systems and Exail’s MCM Mine identification and disposal systems, the vessel will play a key role in detecting, classifying, identifying and neutralizing underwater mines with precision and efficiency. This collaboration brings together the expertise of ADSB, TII, and Exail to deliver innovative and interoperable naval defense solutions.
In the next phase of this collaboration, the three partners will jointly develop in the UAE a new generation Inspector 125 USV, Exail’s reconfigurable mine hunting USV. This new platform will feature TII’s marine autonomy system and Exail’s T-18 towed sonar system. The T-18 towed sonar shares key technological commonalities, including launch and recovery system, with Exail’s A-18 AUV and enables real-time mine detection and classification, significantly enhancing MCM operation efficiency.
„We are proud to strengthen our collaboration in the region, with ADSB and TII, supporting the UAE’s ambition to lead in autonomous naval technologies. This partnership is a strong testament to our recognized expertise and leadership in next-generation MCM systems,“ said Antony Penn, MCM Commercial Director at Exail.
“At TII, we are committed to advancing autonomous maritime solutions that redefine the future of naval defense. This collaboration with ADSB and Exail marks a significant milestone in enhancing Mine Countermeasure (MCM) capabilities through cutting-edge autonomous technologies. By integrating TII’s marine autonomy system and secured communication solutions into the next-generation Inspector 125 USV, we are strengthening the UAE’s position as a leader in autonomous naval innovation and security. Together, we are shaping a future where smart, interoperable systems ensure safer and more efficient naval operations,” said Dr. Jeremy Nicola, Senior Director, Autonomous Robotics Research Center at the Technology Innovation Institute.
