Saildrone Secures $60 Million to Expand Maritime Autonomy in Europe
Maritime autonomy leader Saildrone has announced the successful closing of a $60 million investment round, a strategic funding initiative that will power the company’s expansion into Europe. The round was led by the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO), a government-backed institution dedicated to strengthening Denmark’s role in innovation and international investment. The capital infusion is designed to support the deployment of Saildrone’s cutting-edge unmanned maritime systems in European waters, with a particular focus on improving maritime domain awareness and infrastructure protection amid escalating regional tensions.
This investment marks a pivotal milestone for Saildrone as it solidifies its presence in Europe. With this funding, the company plans to open its European headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark—a move that positions the Scandinavian nation as the central hub for Saildrone’s operations across the continent. The expansion is timely, as European nations increasingly look to fortify their coastal regions, protect undersea infrastructure, and deter hybrid and asymmetric threats across the Baltic Sea, North Sea, and Arctic waters.
Rising Need for Autonomous Maritime Surveillance in Europe
Europe’s maritime regions are experiencing heightened security concerns due to an evolving geopolitical climate. In recent years, undersea cables, offshore wind farms, pipelines, and other subsea infrastructure have become more vulnerable to sabotage, espionage, and unintentional disruptions. Against this backdrop, there is a growing recognition of the importance of 24/7 situational awareness above and below the surface of the sea.
Saildrone’s unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) are uniquely suited to meet this demand. These extreme-endurance, autonomous platforms are powered by renewable energy sources and equipped with an array of sophisticated sensors. They can operate in harsh maritime environments for extended periods without requiring refueling or onboard personnel. Coupled with proprietary artificial intelligence algorithms, the Saildrone fleet delivers real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, offering comprehensive visibility into maritime activity.
“The urgency for persistent maritime domain awareness has never been higher,” said Richard Jenkins, founder and CEO of Saildrone. “Our technology is designed to operate continuously and cost-effectively, even in the most remote and challenging oceanic conditions. With threats escalating in the Baltic and North Sea regions, our mission is to enhance security for vital infrastructure and support NATO allies with scalable, intelligent surveillance solutions.”
Copenhagen Chosen as Strategic European Headquarters
As part of its expansion strategy, Saildrone will establish its European headquarters in Copenhagen. The decision to anchor its continental operations in Denmark was influenced by the country’s central role in northern European defense and its strategic location at the intersection of key maritime trade routes.
“I am thrilled to partner with EIFO and the Danish government to bring Saildrone’s revolutionary technology to Europe,” Jenkins added. “Denmark’s unique geographic and political position makes it the perfect location for our European headquarters and operational base. This partnership will allow us to deepen our collaboration with the Danish Armed Forces and other NATO partners.”
Saildrone’s presence in Denmark will serve as a launchpad for broader European engagement, with plans to expand its maritime intelligence services across multiple NATO member states by the end of the year. The company intends to work closely with allied defense and security agencies to deliver continuous maritime monitoring capabilities, protect critical national infrastructure, and bolster regional deterrence efforts.
EIFO Leads Investment with National Security in Mind
EIFO, the Danish sovereign investment fund, played a leading role in the $60 million funding round, highlighting Denmark’s commitment to advanced defense technologies and security innovation. The fund, which actively supports high-impact ventures aligned with national priorities, views Saildrone’s capabilities as essential for safeguarding Danish and European maritime interests.
“We are thrilled to invest in Saildrone and that Denmark has been chosen as the center for its European operations,” said Peder Lundquist, CEO of EIFO. “Saildrone is a leader in a rapidly growing global market, and access to its autonomous surveillance technology can become critical to both Denmark’s and Europe’s security strategies.”
Lundquist emphasized that Saildrone’s operations would bolster the Danish defense sector, especially in light of increasing Arctic security challenges and the need to counter potential acts of sabotage in domestic and international waters. “This technology offers robust surveillance capabilities at a fraction of the cost of traditional patrol vessels,” he noted, pointing out the efficiency and affordability of Saildrone’s unmanned systems.
Broad Investor Support Reflects Confidence in Market Leadership
In addition to EIFO, the funding round saw participation from a mix of new and existing investors. Repeat backers included Lux Capital, Washington Harbor Partners, Crowley, and Academy Securities—firms that have long supported Saildrone’s vision of transforming ocean intelligence. They were joined by new investors Pinegrove, BZH Capital, What If Ventures, and Calm Ventures, signaling broader interest in dual-use technologies that combine defense readiness with environmental monitoring capabilities.
This robust investor participation reflects the increasing value attributed to autonomous systems in maritime operations, not only for military and national security purposes but also for environmental science, climate research, and disaster response.
First Baltic Deployment Set for June 2025
As an immediate next step, Saildrone will begin deploying its assets in European waters in mid-2025. The first deployment of four Saildrone Voyager vehicles is scheduled for June, operating under contract with the Danish Armed Forces. The Voyager, one of Saildrone’s newest models, is specifically designed for ISR missions in high-threat environments. It is capable of both acoustic and visual monitoring, with payloads designed to detect submarines, surface ships, drones, and other threats.
These Voyagers will patrol the Baltic Sea, a strategically sensitive region that has witnessed increased tension and military activity in recent years. Their mission: to provide persistent coverage of undersea cables, pipelines, ports, and naval chokepoints that are critical to European economic and military stability.
A New Chapter for Maritime Autonomy
Saildrone’s European expansion represents a significant leap forward in the application of autonomous systems for global maritime security. By integrating long-endurance, AI-powered USVs into European defense infrastructure, Saildrone is enabling a new model of persistent, cost-effective surveillance. This paradigm shift offers an alternative to traditional, high-cost naval patrols and opens new possibilities for scalable maritime monitoring across vast and remote ocean areas.
Looking ahead, the company aims to become a key player in the European defense and security landscape. With headquarters in Copenhagen, operational partnerships with NATO allies, and cutting-edge technology already proven in U.S. waters, Saildrone is well-positioned to support Europe’s evolving security needs.
“We envision a future where every meter of critical ocean infrastructure is continuously monitored by intelligent, autonomous systems,” Jenkins said. “This funding round and our new base in Denmark bring us one step closer to realizing that vision—for Europe, and eventually, for the world.”