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Kahe Nautic gears up to mass-produce a low-cost, multi-mission semi-submersible drone for defence and civilian markets
Developed in response to a request from French special forces units, the K600 drone could help Gironde-based start-up Kahe Nautic gain a foothold in the low-cost naval drone market. Unveiled at Euronaval, the K600 is scheduled for an initial production run of 300 units in autumn 2027, ahead of a planned ramp-up in 2028, potentially with support from French defence-certified manufacturers.
- This semi-submersible drone is the first in the K-series range, designed for both civilian and defence applications.
- Kahe Nautic is developing modules to enable its drones to navigate in swarms.
© Kahe Nautic
“We hadn’t seen this coming,” admits Christian Ollier, co-founder of Kahe Nautic. It all started with a series of encounters at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, which opened the door to an entirely new market for the company. Based in Lacanau, near Bordeaux, Kahe Nautic had originally focused on developing versatile electric propulsion systems to help decarbonise boating. But its technology soon caught the attention of the French armed forces, which saw potential for their missions. Those early discussions led to an unexpected request: could Kahe develop a semi-submersible drone?
“First, one military unit approached us, then another, then a third…” recalls Aude Blandineau, Chief Operating Officer (CCO). This growing interest prompted Kahe to explore what it could develop using its existing technology, drawing on five years of R&D in electric propulsion rather than starting from scratch. “We already had the propulsion system, so we thought all we ‘needed’ to do was add a central float to turn it into a semi-submersible drone. Our engineers
Developed in collaboration with operational units
An initial prototype fitted with a GoPro camera was tested by French special forces. Feedback from those trials then led to the development of an open platform capable of accommodating different mission-specific equipment.
“Our real strength is offering a modular platform. We’ve applied the same principle to our boat motors: users can add different interfaces depending on the mission,” explains Aude Blandineau. Whether it’s a camera, sonar or another payload, the idea is to let users and system integrators decide how the drone will ultimately be used.
Kahe Nautic has identified at least 65 potential civilian applications for its drones. “These range from port surveillance and maintenance to repairing pipelines or vessel hulls, including for the French sea rescue organisation SNSM. There’s also beach safety, coral reef monitoring, marine research and identifying marine mammals such as whales. And that’s without mentioning inland waterways, rivers and locks!” says Christian Ollier.
The range of potential military applications has yet to be established and will depend on the requirements of individual units.
Low-cost drones, deployed in numbers
The start-up’s strategy also hinges on affordability. Priced at €5,900 excluding VAT, the K600 targets a business model very different from that of more complex, expensive naval platforms. “A semi-submersible drone at €5,900 changes everything. The price is unbeatable, it can operate independently or in swarms, and its modular design makes it suitable for a wide range of civilian and military missions. That opens up the potential for mass-market sales,” says Aude Blandineau.
Kahe Nautic plans to draw on its proprietary propulsion technology and software, with costs factored into the design from the outset. “We’ve always taken a design-to-cost approach with our boat motors and propulsion systems,” explains Christian Ollier. The company intends to apply the same principle to the K600 without compromising reliability. For Kahe Nautic, one of the drone’s main selling points is the range of missions it can perform compared to its cost.
This approach addresses changing military requirements. Recent conflicts have highlighted the importance of deploying large numbers of drones and other relatively inexpensive systems alongside more sophisticated equipment. “We’re seeing a shift from highly targeted, technology-intensive and therefore extremely costly defence capabilities towards a much greater presence across operational theatres. That means a growing need for more affordable systems,” says Christian Ollier.
The K600 can operate for up to ten hours, depending on the mission. The range is set to expand with the K1200 and K2400, offering greater power and endurance. Modules enabling the drones to operate in swarms are also under development.
The next challenge is to move from concept to series production. Kahe Nautic is working with a French defence industry manufacturer on an initial pre-production batch of around 300 K600 drones, planned for autumn 2027. Mass production could begin as early as 2028.
- Pascal Samama
