Danish Armed Forces to Begin Operational Testing of Saildrone USVs

Four uncrewed surface vehicles to enhance maritime surveillance and regional security in Northern Europe

The Danish Armed Forces will begin operational testing of four Saildrone Voyager uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) in Danish waters starting in June 2025. The initiative marks a new chapter in Denmark’s efforts to expand its maritime surveillance capabilities using sustainable and autonomous technologies.

The four Saildrone Voyagers will operate in key northern European regions, including the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, and the European Arctic. These areas are becoming increasingly important due to evolving geopolitical and environmental challenges.

Supporting Maritime Surveillance with Autonomous Systems

The collaboration is a significant step forward for Denmark’s defense strategy, aiming to increase maritime situational awareness in areas that are difficult to access or maintain with crewed vessels.

“The Baltic, North Sea, and European Arctic waters are currently facing unprecedented threats,” said Richard Jenkins, Saildrone founder and CEO. “We are very excited to be partnering with the Danish armed forces to deploy Saildrone systems, to help protect Europe’s critical undersea infrastructure and increase regional security.”

Saildrone USVs are powered entirely by wind and solar energy, allowing them to operate for extended periods—up to several months—without the need for refueling or human intervention. Each Voyager is equipped with a suite of advanced sensors and AI-driven data processing tools to collect and deliver real-time intelligence.

Part of a Broader Innovation Strategy

This summer’s operational testing will be conducted in coordination with several Danish defense agencies. These include the Defence Command Denmark, the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO), the Royal Danish Navy Command, and the Danish Defence Innovation Unit.

The project reflects Denmark’s broader interest in integrating uncrewed systems into its national defense framework. By deploying Saildrone technology, the country aims to enhance its ability to monitor strategic waterways and protect vital undersea infrastructure.

In April, Saildrone announced the formation of a new European subsidiary, Saildrone Denmark, based in Copenhagen. This new branch will support Saildrone’s growing role in helping European partners strengthen maritime domain awareness using autonomous surface technology.

About Saildrone

Saildrone is a maritime defense and oceanographic survey company. Its USV fleet has traveled over 1.6 million nautical miles and spent more than 46,000 days at sea in extreme environments. The company’s uncrewed systems support various missions, including border protection, infrastructure security, hydrographic survey, and metocean data collection. Saildrone combines renewable energy with AI and machine learning to deliver long-duration missions and actionable intelligence at sea.

Read more:

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• $150 Billion Defense Reconciliation Bill Signals Major Boost for Uncrewed Systems and Drones