Spanish shipbuilder Navantia and technology company Kongsberg have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) covering integrating conventional submarines with Kongsberg's Hugin autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV).
The MOU also covers development and implementation of advanced sonar technologies and joint innovation for future submarine designs, modernisation programmes and new production batches.
The companies said the collaboration is intended to support enhanced intelligence operations, complex underwater missions, and anti-submarine warfare.
Kongsberg stated in 2025 that 12 navies were using Hugin AUVs on operational missions, including intelligence preparation of the operational environment, mine countermeasures, subsea and seabed warfare and seafloor mapping.
The new MOU follows two earlier agreements between the companies, covering the Royal Norwegian Navy's F-310 frigates and integration of the Kongsberg’s new anti-ship missile into Navantia designs.
Navantia is also building the Spanish Navy's S-80 or Isaac Peral-class diesel-electric submarines. The second boat, Narciso Monturiol, began sea trials off Cartagena in June, with delivery then scheduled for later in 2026.
