Saildrone Launches the Future of Maritime Surveillance in the Baltic Sea

Today marks a major milestone in the evolution of maritime autonomy in Europe: Four Saildrone Voyager unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) have been deployed for a three-month mission with the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO). The deployment reflects a significant step forward in Denmark’s efforts to enhance maritime domain awareness and operational readiness in the increasingly complex Baltic Sea region.

This mission represents the first operational test of the Saildrone Voyager platform by the Danish Armed Forces and reflects the close collaboration and alignment between Saildrone and DALO. Earlier this spring, Saildrone announced a new European subsidiary based in Denmark, backed by a strategic investment from EIFO—the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark.

Two Saildrone Voyagers sail in the Baltic Sea on June 6, 2025.

Denmark at the forefront of Baltic Sea security

The Baltic Sea is a vital maritime region with growing geopolitical complexity. It is home to key undersea infrastructure, including pipelines and data cables, and is bordered by multiple NATO member states and partners. With heightened tensions and increased naval activity, Denmark—situated at the maritime crossroads between the North Sea and the Baltic—is uniquely positioned to lead in advancing maritime security and situational awareness.

The Danish Armed Forces’ deployment of the Voyager platform represents clear leadership in the face of regional challenges. By adopting autonomous intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, Denmark is enhancing its ability to protect freedom of navigation, safeguard critical maritime infrastructure, and contribute to allied readiness.

“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.”

The Saildrone Voyager is a 10-meter USV designed specifically for near-shore ISR and maritime security missions. Powered by wind and solar energy with additional diesel power generation and electric propulsion, the Voyager delivers persistent, wide-area monitoring with a fraction of the carbon footprint of traditional crewed patrol assets.

Each Voyager is equipped with a state-of-the-art suite of maritime sensors, including radar, AIS, and a camera system with computer vision for maritime target detection and classification. With secure satellite communications and full autonomy, the platform is capable of operating for months at sea, continuously collecting and transmitting actionable intelligence.

EIFO investment catalyzes Danish leadership in maritime autonomy

EIFO’s investment is part of a $60 million funding round to accelerate Saildrone’s expansion across Europe and strengthen capabilities to meet growing defense and security needs. As one of Europe’s most advanced sovereign investment institutions, EIFO’s support highlights Denmark’s commitment to leading in maritime innovation and sovereign resilience.

“We are thrilled to invest in Saildrone and subsequently that Denmark has been chosen as the center for Saildrone’s European activities. Saildrone is a leading company in a rapidly growing market, and gaining access to this technology can become critical for both Denmark’s and Europe’s security. We expect Saildrone will have an impact on both the Danish defense industry and the Danish challenges with surveillance in the Arctic and counteracting sabotage in Danish waters—at a fraction of the cost of a patrol ship,” said Peder Lundquist, CEO of EIFO.

The new Saildrone Denmark office, to be located in central Copenhagen, will serve as the operational hub for missions across the Baltic and North Seas to support Danish and allied customers.

With this summer’s deployment now underway, Saildrone’s footprint in Denmark continues to grow—enabled by local investment, sovereign partnerships, and a shared vision of technological leadership. The combination of Danish operational ingenuity, EIFO’s forward-looking investment, and Saildrone’s proven autonomous systems is creating new capabilities at a critical time for the region.