German Rheinmetall Launches Serial Production of Kraken K3 Scout Naval Drones

The German defense company Rheinmetall has started the serial production of the Kraken K3 Scout naval drones.

These systems are market-affordable solution for various tasks, including the protection of critical infrastructure, monitoring, and strike operations, according to Rheinmetall on April 20.

The production is a joint effort between Rheinmetall Naval Systems and the British company Kraken Technology.

Manufacturing is currently taking place at the Blohm+Voss shipyard. This follows Rheinmetall’s recent expansion into the naval sector through the acquisition of the shipbuilding company Naval Vessels Lürssen.

The current production rate is approximately 200 units per year, but Rheinmetall has indicated that this could increase to 1,000 units annually if demand grows.

While Rheinmetall has not named all its customers, Kraken Technology secured a contract with the UK Ministry of Defense in March, according to Defense Express. The agreement involves the delivery of 20 naval drones for a total of 12.3 million pounds ($16.4 million).

This places the cost of a single Kraken K3 Scout at about $821,000. Currently, the production capacity of the company appears to exceed the immediate purchasing plans of defense departments.

The Kraken K3 Scout is the smallest of three planned versions of the drone. It measures 8.4 meters in length and has a maximum displacement of 2,500 kg, with a payload capacity of up to 600 kg. The vessel can reach a top speed of 55 knots and maintains a cruising speed of 25 knots. It has an operational range of 650 miles and can stay at sea for up to 30 days.

Technical details show that the drone uses satellite communication, such as Starlink, to stay connected with operators. It features a rotating camera mounted on the superstructure, while its weaponry is stored within the internal hull.

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According to Defense Express, the specific weapons have not been officially confirmed, available images suggest the drone could be equipped with a launcher for three Brimstone missiles.

In March 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine was developing a new generation of naval drones designed for open ocean conditions.

During an address to the UK Parliament, he highlighted that the country's defense industry had moved toward creating more durable, long-range maritime systems and underwater platforms.

This expansion aimed to build upon the success of the Sea Baby program, which had already been used to strike Russian naval assets and infrastructure following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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