The NATO Support and Procurement Agency places new order for Exail’s K-Ster mine neutralization vehicles for European navies

Ostend – 6 January, 2026 – Exail announces a new order worth approximately 40 million Euros for several hundred additional K-Ster mine neutralization vehicles placed via the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). This order is part of the framework agreement established in 2024, which allows all the Alliance navies to procure these systems rapidly through a streamlined acquisition process.

This procurement confirms the strong momentum among European navies to comprehensively modernize their mine countermeasure (MCM) capabilities through the adoption of autonomous systems. As a European leader in mine countermeasures, Exail plays a key role in the ongoing transition toward unmanned, safer and more efficient MCM operations.

The K-Ster vehicles ordered by European navies will be produced in Exail’s assembly lines in Ostend, Belgium. Opened in 2022, the site is now fully operational and supports major MCM modernization programs.

Renewed confidence in a strategic European partner

“We are very proud to see European navies renewing their confidence in our mine neutralization solutions. This new order confirms both the proven operational reliability of K-Ster and Exail’s central role in supporting the modernization of MCM capabilities for NATO navies. With our Ostend site now fully scaled up, we are prepared to support navies in the deployment of next-generation MCM capabilities,” said Jérôme Bendell, CEO of Exail’s Maritime Business line.

Strengthening maritime security and sovereignty

This order, which reinforces the K-Ster fleets of NATO navies, directly contributes to securing sea lines of communication, protecting critical maritime infrastructure and enhancing control of the underwater domain—key strategic priorities for European nations. It also illustrates Exail’s ability to deliver sovereign industrial solutions, with full mastery of all critical building blocks of modern mine countermeasure systems.

Image courtesy Exail