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New defense contract awarded to Eelume – strengthening Norwegian subsea

Written by Lars Bugge Aarset | Apr 15, 2026 7:43:47 AM
Eelume AS has been awarded a new three-year contract from the Norwegian Ministry of Defence. The contract builds on the further development of the company’s autonomous underwater vehicle, Eelume S (All-Terrain AUV), and will be carried out in close collaboration with the Norwegian Armed Forces.
 

Through the agreement, Eelume will develop and demonstrate seamless interoperability between Eelume S and a wide range of military platforms. The objective is to expand the operational scope of unmanned underwater systems and enhance capabilities for operations in complex and confined environments.

Over time, Eelume has demonstrated its capabilities in cooperation with several units within the Norwegian Armed Forces, particularly within mine countermeasures (MCM – operations to detect, identify, and neutralize mines), ISR – intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and handling of UXO – unexploded ordnance – from the Arctic to southern Norway. Feedback has been highly positive.

Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik is presented with Eelume’s technology by Thomas Nygaard. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri

“This contract confirms our relevance across multiple branches of the Armed Forces and facilitates expanded use of our systems on military platforms,” says Thomas Nygaard of Eelume.

He also highlights that the technology has been developed in close collaboration with both defense and research environments:

“Eelume brings forward groundbreaking technology developed in cooperation with the Norwegian Armed Forces, FFI, research institutions, and companies within the energy sector tied to critical infrastructure. This enables integrated solutions with a high degree of interoperability, at a fraction of the cost compared to more traditional systems used in operational scenarios.”

The contract illustrates how the Norwegian supplier industry contributes to strengthening defense capabilities through advanced autonomous technology, and underscores the importance of collaboration between defense, industry, and research environments.
Photo: Eelume

See also: Launching a new unmanned surface vessel for mine countermeasures

About Eelume

Eelume AS develops autonomous, self-propelled underwater robots designed for continuous operation in demanding environments. The company’s technology is particularly aimed at inspection, maintenance, and intervention on subsea installations, including critical infrastructure within the energy and defense sectors.

Eelume originates from the research environment at NTNU and has developed its technology in close collaboration with both industry players and the defense sector. Its solutions are characterized by high flexibility, a low logistical footprint, and the ability to conduct long-duration operations without the need for surface vessels.

The company is a member of NORDSEC Defence and Security Cluster and also participates in Ocean Autonomy Cluster and FI Ocean Space Incubator. Eelume is also represented at the Defence Conference, where future operational needs and technological solutions for the defense sector are discussed.

See also: Maritime Robotics and Eelume form partnership to advance ocean exploration

Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset / Fremtidens Industri

See also: Equinor adopts Eelume S for advanced subsea inspection