US company Saildrone has announced a $60-million investment round led by the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO).
The investment will help Saildrone bring its marine-surveillance technology, based on long-endurance unmanned surface vehicles (USV), to European shores.
In addition to EIFO, other participants in the round included Lux Capital, Washington Harbor Partners, Crowley, Academy Securities, and Pinegrove.
The investment reportedly brings the California-headquartered firm’s total funding to $325 million.
“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,” CEO of EIFO Peder Lundquist said.
“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.”
European Expansion
To facilitate its European expansion, the company will establish its European headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Saildrone’s European hub in Denmark will employ local talent to impart training, mission planning, and support services to customers and partners.
“I am thrilled to partner with EIFO and the Danish government to establish Saildrone’s European headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark,” Saildrone’s founder and CEO Richard Jenkins said.
“Denmark’s unique geographic and political position at the heart of northern Europe makes it the perfect place to establish our European headquarters and operational hub.”
Saildrone USV
Saildrone USVs employ an array of sensors and proprietary artificial-intelligence algorithms to provide maritime domain awareness above and below the sea surface.
The platform’s mission envelope includes the monitoring of vessel traffic, suspicious behaviors, and national resource protection.
It also performs deep-sea mapping to provide a better understanding of the ocean floor and underwater infrastructure, such as communication cables, pipelines, and offshore energy platforms.
Integration Into Danish Defense
Meanwhile, the company will test a group of four Voyager USVs in Danish waters from June.
The campaign intends to test the platform’s surveillance and data collection capabilities.
It is part of a larger initiative to integrate the systems into Denmark’s defense architecture.
“Working initially with the Danish Armed Forces, we plan to roll out Saildrone’s maritime intelligence services to multiple NATO countries during the course of the year,” Jenkins added.
“Our goal is to provide 24/7, year-round coverage for all critical infrastructure within the Baltic and North Sea, safeguarding these highly valuable installations for current and future generations.”
