In a strategic move to enhance maritime surveillance, Denmark has initiated the deployment of two unmanned ships developed by the American company Saildrone. This deployment, which represents a significant investment in maritime technology, aims to monitor key areas in the Baltic Sea and the North Sea. Danish officials confirmed the launch of these vessels, noting that two additional drones had been introduced into the region the previous week, contributing to the NATO mission known as Task Force X.
The unmanned vessels will undergo a rigorous three-month testing phase managed by the Danish navy. Kim Jorgensen, the Danish National Armaments Director, emphasized the importance of these surveillance missions, stating they will operate not only in the Baltic and North Seas but also within Denmark’s internal waters. He expressed particular interest in assessing how effectively these unmanned vessels can navigate busy maritime routes.
The Baltic Sea, which connects to the wider maritime world through the Danish straits, sees over eight percent of global maritime traffic. This area has recently been marked by escalating tensions, especially following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Concerns regarding maritime stability intensified after several undersea Baltic cables were damaged last year, with experts warning about a potential “hybrid war” orchestrated by Russia targeting Western nations.
The newly deployed unmanned ships, designated as “Voyagers,” measure 10 meters (approximately 33 feet) in length and are capable of autonomous navigation for up to three months. Equipped with sophisticated sensors that can reach depths of 300 meters (about 984 feet), these vessels are designed to provide comprehensive maritime domain awareness. Richard Jenkins, the founder and CEO of Saildrone, described the capabilities of these drones, likening them to “eyes and ears” operating both above and below water to monitor activities that remain hidden from traditional monitoring systems.
Jenkins highlighted the prevailing issues in the oceanic environment, ranging from human and narcotic smuggling to threats against undersea infrastructure, such as cables and pipelines. He noted that current maritime operations lack the manpower needed to effectively oversee these expansive ocean areas. With the deployment of these unmanned ships, Denmark aims to enhance its ability to monitor these crucial maritime challenges, thereby improving regional security and responsiveness to potential threats.
