Saildrone Expands European Presence with Local Production and Operations
Saildrone has announced a significant expansion of its European operations, including the establishment of a new headquarters in Copenhagen and the creation of three new manufacturing locations in Norway, Poland, and the Netherlands.
Saildrone, a leading manufacturer of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), has announced a major expansion of its European presence. The company has established a new headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, and is creating three new manufacturing locations in Norway, Poland, and the Netherlands.
The new Copenhagen office will serve as the EU headquarters for Saildrone, providing a permanent base for the company's operations in Northern Europe. The office will be located at the historic Quintus Bastion in Holmen, Copenhagen, a site that dates back to the 17th century and was once the headquarters of the Royal Danish Navy.
Saildrone's expansion into Europe is driven by strong demand for its USVs, which are used for a range of applications including maritime domain awareness, counter drug trafficking, and illegal fishing. The company's USVs have been deployed by governments around the world, and Saildrone is now bringing its proven capability to European customers.
The new manufacturing locations in Norway, Poland, and the Netherlands will enable Saildrone to build, deploy, and support its USVs directly in Europe. The company has signed contracts with three local shipyards to produce its USVs: Van Der Valk Shipyard in the Netherlands will build the 52-meter Saildrone Spectre, Umoe Mandal in Norway will produce the next generation of the Saildrone Surveyor, and Southern Spars will produce Surveyor wings in Poland.
Saildrone's expansion into Europe is supported by a significant investment in local infrastructure and personnel. The company is recruiting for multiple technical roles in Copenhagen, and has established a new Pilot Team to deploy, operate, and support its USVs directly from Denmark.
Saildrone's USVs are designed to operate in a range of environments, from calm waters to harsh sea states. The company's fleet of over 70 USVs is deployed globally, operating 24/7/365. Saildrone has four classes of USV, including the 7-meter Explorer, the 10-meter Voyager, the 20-meter Surveyor, and the 52-meter Spectre.
The company's European expansion is a significant milestone in its growth strategy. Saildrone has established a European subsidiary and has begun operating in Danish waters. The company is currently participating in the DALO Industry Days in Herning, where it will showcase its USVs and meet with Danish and European defense stakeholders.
### Saildrone's European Operations
| Location | Type | | --- | --- | | Copenhagen, Denmark | EU Headquarters | | Norway | Manufacturing location | | Poland | Manufacturing location | | Netherlands | Manufacturing location |
### Saildrone's USV Fleet
| Class | Length | Description | | --- | --- | --- | | Explorer | 7 meters | Small, agile USV for coastal and inland operations | | Voyager | 10 meters | Medium-sized USV for offshore operations | | Surveyor | 20 meters | Large USV for high-resolution surveys and mapping | | Spectre | 52 meters | Long-range USV for large-scale operations |
