Introduction of the Euroatlas Greyshark AUV at NATO Exercise ‘REPMUS 25’
The Euroatlas Greyshark Bravo autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) made its debut at NATO’s Exercise ‘REPMUS 25’ (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned Systems) following its reveal in November 2024. This participation is underpinned by successful sea trials conducted earlier in July.
Demonstration Details
The Greyshark was showcased off the coast of Sesimbra, Portugal, on September 23, 2025. Media representatives were present on board the Portuguese Navy’s Viana Do Castelo (NPO 2000)-class offshore patrol vessel, Figueira Da Foz (P 361). During the demonstration, the AUV operated just beneath the surface, deploying its telescopic mast, which integrates military-grade communication capabilities to facilitate interaction with both operators and allied units.
Operational Context and Capabilities
The exercise featured collaboration with EvoLogics’ Sonobot 5 unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and the Quadroin AUV, the latter having inspired the design of the more advanced Greyshark.
Commander Andreas Montag, leading the German Navy’s Mine Warfare Working Group, emphasized the Greyshark’s pivotal role within the naval mine warfare operations at ‘REPMUS’. He noted:
- The Greyshark was the largest vehicle among those deployed in the underwater warfare group, primarily tasked with mine detection.
- Its compact operational area allowed the AUV to perform comprehensive surveys in an efficient timeframe of approximately three to four hours.
- The Greyshark is equipped with an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled automatic target recognition system, enhancing its capability for mine detection and reducing the risk to human operators.
Conclusion
As naval operations increasingly incorporate autonomous systems, the Greyshark stands out not merely for its size but also for its advanced operational capabilities within the domain of underwater warfare. Its successful initial demonstration underscores the growing reliance on unmanned systems in complex maritime environments. This development marks a significant step in NATO’s collective efforts to innovate and enhance maritime security and operational readiness in the face of emerging threats.
