Sweden is stepping up maritime surveillance in the Baltic Sea. Four unmanned surface vessels from the US company Saildrone are set to monitor ship movements and detect potential threats there for a year.
The Swedish Armed Forces have commissioned the US company Saildrone to carry out a one-year surveillance mission in the Baltic Sea. According to the company, four “Voyager” unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) will be deployed for this purpose. They are to monitor vessel movements and identify potential threats both in Swedish territorial waters and within the exclusive economic zone.
Four vessels and 360 days of operation
The contract stipulates 360 days of operation for each of the four vessels. In total, the contract therefore comprises 1,440 contractually agreed vessel days. This will provide the Swedish Navy with a continuous stream of information on maritime activities. The focus is particularly on monitoring critical underwater infrastructure.
Unlike in a traditional procurement process, Sweden is not purchasing the drones itself, but is instead procuring the surveillance as a service. The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has concluded a corresponding framework agreement with Saildrone for this purpose. According to project manager Johan Wahren, the primary aim is to ensure the continuous availability of maritime reconnaissance data. The agreement also allows for the deployment of further unmanned vessels.
Powered by the wind
The ‘Voyager’ drones, which are around 10 metres long, are primarily powered by the wind. Solar panels supply the on-board electronics with electricity. In addition, the vehicles are equipped with a small engine and a fuel tank. They can navigate autonomously during their missions, but are continuously monitored by Saildrone staff.
Their equipment includes, amongst other things, cameras and radar systems. This enables the drones to detect and track ships and verify their positions. According to the FMV, this method also makes it possible to identify discrepancies between actual ship movements and the data transmitted via AIS.
Part of the Nordic defence cooperation
This deployment marks Saildrone’s first national mission within the framework of the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO). The agreement also enables other Nordic countries to procure similar surveillance services.
At the same time, the mission is linked to NATO’s activities to protect critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea. Following several incidents of damage to submarine cables in 2024 and 2025, the Alliance launched Operation ‘Baltic Sentry’. The resulting initiative, ‘Task Force X Baltic’, aims to accelerate the integration of unmanned systems into maritime surveillance.
Saildrone already has operational experience in the Baltic Sea. During a six-month mission for the Danish Navy, four “Voyager” drones achieved a fleet availability rate of 92 per cent, according to the company. They covered more than 20,000 sm and detected over 170,000 different vessels.
