With growing threats in the Baltic, North Sea, and Arctic waters, the demand for 24/7 maritime awareness has never been greater. Saildrone, a leader in autonomous ocean intelligence, is stepping up to meet that demand. The company just secured $60 million in fresh funding to launch a European AI-powered maritime security hub in Copenhagen—marking a major leap in how the continent protects its undersea infrastructure.
This funding round, led by Denmark’s Export and Investment Fund (EIFO), brings Saildrone’s total backing to $325 million. It will enable the company to rapidly expand across Europe, safeguarding strategic assets like energy pipelines and subsea fiber cables. Saildrone’s AI-powered unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) are designed for real-time surveillance in even the harshest environments, operating without the need for human crews or constant refuelling.
Why Copenhagen? Strategic, Sustainable, and Secure
Saildrone’s new European headquarters in Copenhagen reflects a clear strategic move. Denmark, situated at the crossroads of NATO and EU security efforts, offers an ideal launchpad for regional maritime surveillance. CEO and founder Richard Jenkins highlighted Denmark’s pivotal role, noting that the rollout will begin in partnership with the Danish Armed Forces before expanding to other NATO allies. The company’s goal: round-the-clock protection of critical infrastructure in the Baltic and North Sea.
The timing couldn’t be better. From GPS spoofing to underwater sabotage, Europe’s maritime borders are facing a new wave of hybrid threats. Saildrone’s tech is built precisely for this moment—delivering persistent intelligence with minimal environmental impact.
An Autonomous Fleet Designed for the Toughest Missions
Founded in 2012 by British engineer Richard Jenkins, Saildrone’s roots are deeply tied to endurance innovation. Jenkins first made waves by setting the land speed record for wind-powered vehicles in 2009, and later turned his expertise to the ocean. The result? Wind- and solar-powered vehicles capable of monitoring vast swaths of ocean, day and night, for over a year at a time.
Each USV is equipped with a robust suite of sensors, communications gear, and navigation tools—including inertial, acoustic, and celestial systems that keep the vessels on course even in GPS-denied zones. That’s a critical feature given the rise in satellite jamming in conflict zones. From tracking illegal fishing to countering drone threats and monitoring undersea cables, Saildrone’s Voyagers are engineered to excel where traditional patrols fall short.
Cutting Maritime Surveillance Costs by 96%
One of Saildrone’s standout advantages is cost-efficiency. Its autonomous platforms can slash surveillance costs by up to 96% compared to conventional crewed patrol vessels—without sacrificing data quality or coverage. That’s a huge win for Denmark, a nation prioritizing green innovation in defense, and for EIFO, which backs future-facing, sustainable security technologies.
With defense budgets under pressure, Saildrone offers a practical alternative. Its technology dovetails with key strategic initiatives like the EU’s 2025 Action Plan for Subsea Cable Security and NATO’s Maritime Unmanned Systems Initiative. The company’s sensor data will feed directly into joint defense networks, supporting everything from anti-submarine operations to Arctic border monitoring.
First Launch in June, Broader Rollout by 2026
The Danish Armed Forces will deploy the first four Saildrone Voyagers in the Baltic Sea by June 2025. These units will serve as the vanguard of a broader NATO rollout, with more than 50 autonomous vessels expected to be in action by 2026.
Peder Lundquist, CEO of EIFO, underscored the urgency and impact of the investment. With Denmark facing increasing pressure to monitor Arctic waters and protect against underwater sabotage, Saildrone provides a scalable, affordable solution. “This technology could become mission-critical for both Denmark and Europe’s security,” he said.
As Europe redefines how it responds to maritime threats, Saildrone is positioned to lead the charge. By merging autonomy, AI, and sustainability, it’s not just enhancing surveillance—it’s reshaping what’s possible in ocean defense.
