Name

Drass

Legal name

DRASS SPA

Website

https://drass.tech

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Underwater Technology Systems (Naval Defense, Submarine Rescue, Commercial Diving, Hyperbaric Medicine)

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)

akta.pro primary industry

Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) & Autonomous Submersible Manufacturing (IMAJAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Submarine Systems & Components (Pressure Hull, Ballast, Life Support) (IMABAKAL), Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) & Autonomous Subsea Platforms (IMABAIAF), Submarine Safety, Escape & Rescue Systems Manufacturing (IMAJAOAL), Submarine Combat Systems & Sonar Manufacturing (CMS, Sensors, EW) (IMAJAOAH), Manned Submersible & Deep-Sea Research Vehicle Manufacturing (IMAJAOAD)

Keywords

• Underwater technology systems
• Compact submarines
• Submarine rescue systems
• Saturation diving equipment
• Medical hyperbaric chambers

Headquarters

HQ city

Livorno

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Defense Equipment Sales: Sale of compact submarines, swimmer delivery vehicles, submarine rescue systems, and underwater defense equipment to naval forces and government defense ministries
2. Commercial Diving Systems: Sale and supply of deep diving systems, saturation chambers, diving bells, and associated equipment to oil & gas industry and commercial diving operators
3. Medical Hyperbaric Equipment: Sale of hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers and medical solutions to healthcare facilities
4. Professional Services: Training, maintenance, and support services for defense and commercial underwater systems

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

DRASS designs, engineers, and manufactures underwater technology hardware for naval defense, commercial diving, submarine rescue, and medical hyperbaric applications. Its defense portfolio includes the DGK compact submarine, DS8 swimmer delivery vehicle, and RONDA large unmanned underwater vehicle, supported by an in-house Integrated Submarine System (ISS) combat management platform. The rescue line provides the SAVER system, DSRV vessels, rescue capsules, and salvage vessels; the diving portfolio includes saturation systems (100/700/900 Series, Minisat), diving bells, chambers, panels, and the D-ONE helmet; and the medical business supplies hyperbaric oxygen therapy chambers.

Product overview

DRASS is a global leader in underwater technology operating since 1927, offering an integrated portfolio of defense, rescue, diving, and medical hyperbaric systems. The defense portfolio centers on the DGK compact submarine, DS8 swimmer delivery vehicle, and RONDA LUUV unmanned underwater vehicle, all supported by the Integrated Submarine System (ISS) combat management platform. The rescue division provides the SAVER submarine rescue system with DSRV vessels (ST-236, ST-230), rescue capsules, and ventilation systems. The diving division encompasses saturation diving systems (100, 700, 900 Series, Minisat), diving bells, chambers, and the D-ONE diving helmet. Medical solutions include AC19 and Hot Series hyperbaric chambers for oxygen therapy. These products integrate with partner technologies including KONGSBERG autonomous systems, LEONARDO BLACK SCORPION torpedoes, INTECS AI surveillance, STARLIGHT optronics, FLYSIGHT traffic control, and ELESIA composite materials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• D-ONE: Commercial diving helmet designed by DRASS Galeazzi R&D, featuring spherical design innovation and tested for air use up to -50 msw per European Standard EN 15333-1

Products and services

• DGK Compact Submarine Next-generation compact submarine in the 300-ton class (219 tons, 34.5 meters) designed for littoral operations and special forces support. Features lithium-ion batteries, stealth design, combat management system, and multi-mission capability including torpedo, mine, and drone deployment. Targeted at national navies.
• DS8 Swimmer Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Manned submersible designed to transport 2-8 combat divers and equipment from deployment base to target and back. Features maximum operational depth of 50 msw (transportable at 100 msw) with advanced autonomous capabilities including guidance, navigation, optronic periscope suite, and configurable BLACK SCORPION torpedo launch capability. For special forces and naval commando units.
• RONDA LUUV (Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle) Next-generation Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle with modular payload architecture. Capable of strategic payload delivery including torpedo, mine, and mission-specific payload deployment. Features AI-driven learning frameworks for autonomous operations. For naval forces requiring unmanned underwater capability.
• SAVER Submarine Rescue System Modular, transportable submarine rescue system capable of rapid deployment for rescue from distressed submarines down to 600 msw. Includes in-built and modular installation configurations for various vessel types. Targeted at navies with submarine fleets.
• Submarine Rescue Vehicle (SRV / DRV) Deep rescue vehicle for submarine rescue operations with moon pool launch capability. For navy and rescue operators.
• Submarine Rescue Capsule (SRC) Rescue capsule for submarine escape and rescue operations. For navies operating submarines.
• DSRV ST-236 Ultra Deep Submarine Rescue Vessel Diving Rescue Support Vessel for submarine rescue operations up to 650 msw depth, with 9-man in-built Saturation Diving System rated to 300 msw. For navy and rescue operators.
• DSRV ST-230 Deep Submarine Rescue Vessel Diving Rescue Support Vessel for submarine rescue operations up to 300 msw, with 6-man in-built Saturation Diving System rated to 120 msw. For navy and rescue operators.
• 25M Multipurpose Rescue and Salvage Vessel (MRSV) 25-meter multipurpose rescue and salvage vessel for diving, inspection, repair, and maintenance underwater operations. For coast guard, navies, and emergency services.
• 100 Series Diving System Complete deep diving system for commercial and defense applications. For commercial diving operators, offshore contractors, and naval diving units.
• 700 Series Diving System Surface-supplied diving system for deep diving operations. For commercial diving operators and offshore energy projects.
• 900 Series Modular Saturation System Modular saturation diving system for extended deep diving operations. For offshore diving contractors requiring sustained deep operations.
• Minisat Diving System Compact saturation diving system for portable deep diving operations. For offshore diving and smaller-scale commercial or defense operations.
• Diving Bell System Hyperbaric diving bell for personnel transfer and diving operations. For commercial diving contractors and naval diving units.
• Saturation Chambers Hyperbaric chambers for saturation diving and decompression procedures. For commercial and defense diving operators.
• D-ONE Diving Helmet Spherical diving helmet for commercial diving, tested for air use up to 50 msw per EN 15333-1. CE marked with balanced demand regulator and oral nasal mask HT-01 MKI. For commercial and professional divers.
• DSB Diving Support Boat Diving support boat class with embedded hyperbaric diver decompression chamber (DDC) positioned above keel level for enhanced stability. Available in DSB48 and DSB60 configurations. PED compliant with EN13445 working pressure of 18 msw. For recreational and commercial diving support providers.
• AC19 Multiplace Hyperbaric Chamber Mobile medical hyperbaric system designed for safe treatment of multiple patients (up to 24-man capacity) with individual breathing gas supply and separate control room. For hospitals and hyperbaric treatment facilities.
• Hot Series Hyperbaric Chamber Advanced hyperbaric oxygen therapy systems with innovative design, FAIL SAFE pressurization architecture, water mist fire protection, and entertainment systems. For hospitals and medical centers.
• Hyperbaric Reception Facilities Facilities for hyperbaric treatment and emergency medical response. For hospitals, medical centers, and emergency service providers.
• Underwater Traffic Control (UTC) Patented system for monitoring and coordinating subsea activities across all operational assets. Open architecture with integrable underwater sensors providing complete operational area overview. For naval and commercial subsea operators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 310 mission days per year per submarine unit
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability9 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KONGSBERGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2026Strategic partnership signed June 8, 2026 at Farnesina (Italy's Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to address growing demand for advanced underwater intelligence systems, particularly in sensing and robotics for next-generation highly autonomous underwater vehicles.
• SCANTEKminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 June 2025Official distribution partner in Poland for D-ONE professional diving helmet, developing the professional diving market across Poland.
• Republik PalindocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 February 2025Strategic Partnership with Indonesia's Republik Palindo for the DGK submarine programme, supporting Indonesian Navy's requirement for enhanced underwater deterrence through serial production of midget attack submarines. Framework Agreement signed at IDEX-UAE.
• LEONARDOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2024Strategic partnership for maritime security, integrating LEONARDO's BLACK SCORPION light torpedoes into DRASS DS8 swimmer delivery vehicle and RONDA LUUV for Anti-Submarine Warfare and maritime security missions.
• INTECScoreTechnology or Integration · 7 March 2024Collaboration to advance AI-driven subsea surveillance systems, developing specialized methodologies and algorithms for enhanced underwater domain surveillance and performance.
• STARLIGHT ITALIAcoreTechnology or Integration · 12 February 2024Strategic partner for optronic systems, integrating STARLIGHT's sensor technology with DRASS's pressure-resistant systems and neural network-based signal processing algorithms for next-generation underwater platforms.
• FLYSIGHTcoreTechnology or Integration · 7 February 2024Cooperation agreement for development of Underwater Traffic Control centres, including new generation electronic cartography, georeferenced representation and seabed operations management for the Italian Navy.
• AT AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 November 2023Strategic partnership with MoU signed for project collaboration in underwater domain with application of Quantum Technologies for defense capabilities.
• ELESIAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 November 2023Framework agreement for technological collaboration in composite materials, command-and-control systems, hydrodynamic underwater profiles, and new generation hyperbaric solutions.
• European Defence Agency (EDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributor to DIVEPACK (Deployable Modular Underwater Intervention Capability) under PESCO initiative, delivering modular high-readiness system for underwater missions.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Saab Kockums: Swedish submarine and AUV builder producing the A26 and Gotland-class submarines with autonomous features; competes head-to-head with DRASS in the compact/littoral submarine segment and shares the Northern European naval customer base.
• thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS): German submarine prime building Type 212, 214, and 218SG platforms with strong combat systems integration (now including ATLAS ELEKTRONIK); a direct competitor in the export submarine market that DRASS targets with its DGK programme.
• Hauk (Nornickel/Subsea Tech JV): Norwegian manufacturer of manned submersibles, swimmer delivery vehicles, and diving systems for special operations forces; the closest direct competitor to DRASS's DS8 SDV and saturation diving product lines.
• M Subs Ltd: UK builder of crewed submersibles and unmanned underwater vehicles for naval special forces, including swimmer delivery vehicles and rescue submersibles; directly comparable to DRASS's DS8 SDV and small-submersible business.

Broad incumbents

• Naval Group: French submarine prime and broader naval shipbuilder producing Scorpène, Suffren, and submarine combat systems; a much larger incumbent whose export reach and full-spectrum portfolio define the competitive ceiling for DRASS's compact submarines.
• Hanwha Ocean (formerly Hyundai Heavy Industries): Korean shipbuilder producing KSS-III and Chang Bogo-class submarines for domestic and export customers; a broader incumbent whose export push into Southeast Asia intersects with DRASS's Indonesia-led expansion.
• Kongsberg Maritime: Producer of Hugin AUVs, naval sonars, and underwater sensors; both a DRASS partner (June 2026 strategic alliance) and a broader incumbent whose Hugin family competes with the RONDA LUUV in the large UUV segment.
• L3Harris Technologies (Undersea Systems): US defence prime producing REMUS family of unmanned underwater vehicles and acoustic systems for navies worldwide; a broader incumbent in the man-portable to medium UUV segments that overlap with RONDA LUUV's mission space.
• Saab (Underwater Systems):

Emerging players

• Anduril Industries: US defence-tech entrant building Dive LD/XL extra-large autonomous underwater vehicles for the US Navy; represents the venture-backed, software-led challenger that could disrupt traditional UUV suppliers like DRASS in Western allied navies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Drass