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As maritime tensions have increased since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Denmark is investing big in defense tech. Read about the Danish Armed Forces’ first operational test of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs).
The Danish Armed Forces has announced that it is deploying four uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), dubbed ‘Voyagers,’ to enhance surveillance capacity in under-monitored waters. The Saildrone Voyager is designed to collect ocean condition data and provide maritime security. The first of two Saildrone Voyagers was deployed on June 6, 2025.
The vessels will be patrolling in Danish and NATO waters in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea for a period of three months, according to the Danish Armed Forces. The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has awarded what it says is the first-ever classification for an autonomous, uncrewed surface vehicle (USV). 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.
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“The security situation in the Baltic is tense, and therefore it has been decided by Danish parliament and the Danish government to improve the capabilities of Danish defense, and this includes the maritime domain and of course this includes our maritime domain awareness,” said Kim Jørgensen, the director of the Danish National Armaments.
This mission marks the first operational test of the Saildrone Voyager platform by the Danish Armed Forces, reflecting 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.
Drones are mounted on these 10-meter-long vessels, and artificial intelligence (AI) helps analyze data from the surrounding environment, both above and below the ocean’s surface, using advanced sensors.
“So, the vehicles work like a truck. The truck carries the sensors, and we use on-board sophisticated machine learning and AI to fuse that data to give us a full picture of what’s above and below the surface,” said Richard Jenkins, the founder and CEO of Saildrone, the company that makes the ships.
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He continues, “Saildrone has spent three years maturing the Voyager design to be the industry leader in capability, reliability, and safety in the uncrewed vehicle sector. This classification from the American Bureau of Shipping defines the new gold standard for uncrewed systems and underscores the maturity of our technology.”
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 naval security and situational awareness.
The firm states that the autonomous sailboats can support operations such as detecting illegal fishing, border enforcement, and protecting strategic assets. The Voyager is fitted with an array of sensors, including smart cameras, digital radars, and sub-surface “passive acoustics” to map coastal ocean areas.
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 the readiness of its allies.
According to a report published in 2024 by the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark, EIFO, one of the country’s investment agendas focuses on defense in light of the new geopolitical landscape.
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.
NATO and its allies have increased sea patrolling following several incidents, including the 2022 Nord Stream pipeline sabotage, the 2023 Balticconnector gas pipeline burst, and undersea cable damage in the Baltic Sea in 2024.
Its developer, Saildrone, is establishing its European headquarters and operational hub in Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital.
Danish Armed Forces’ First Operational Test of Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), Tor Kjolberg reporting.
All images, except Kim Jørgensen, © Saildrone