British uncrewed-boat maker Kraken Technology Group has raised $175m at a $1bn valuation, with the NATO Innovation Fund, the British Business Bank and Rheinmetall in the round and a Rheinmetall joint venture now building its K3 SCOUT boat in Hamburg. Rheinmetall MAN also took over Germany's InterRoC VII programme, pushing convoy autonomy that works when GPS is jammed. Ukraine's National Guard Omega unit is reported to have built an uncrewed boat to launch attack drones.
24JUL
Kraken raise makes Europe's newest defence unicorn
1 min read
12:50UTC
British uncrewed-boat maker Kraken Technology Group has raised $175m at a $1bn valuation, with the NATO Innovation Fund, the British Business Bank and Rheinmetall in the round and a Rheinmetall joint venture now building its K3 SCOUT boat in Hamburg. Rheinmetall MAN also took over Germany's InterRoC VII programme, pushing convoy autonomy that works when GPS is jammed. Ukraine's National Guard Omega unit is reported to have built an uncrewed boat to launch attack drones.
Key takeaway
State-backed funds and a prime just made a British robot-boat maker Europe's newest defence unicorn.
Different Perspectives
DNV and Fassmer
Signed a memorandum at SMM in Hamburg, announced on 10 September, to seek an approval in principle for autonomous naval vessels. DNV's Rasmus Stute said autonomy is "becoming one of the key pillars in defence".
Belgian Ministry of Defence
Awarded Exail Robotics Belgium €9.87m on 14 September, without competition, for three TRIDENT systems carrying the K-STER C mine-disposal vehicle for Ukraine. It had tendered separately in July for twelve tethered ROVs, not yet bought.
IRGC Navy (Iran)
IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi said the IRGC Navy seized a US Kingfish mine-hunting vehicle in the Strait of Hormuz on 27 September, valuing it at several million dollars. US Central Command calls the claim "clearly desperate"; no verified imagery exists.
UK Defence Intelligence and Kraken
Defence Intelligence said the 12 September clash "almost certainly marks the first time" Russian and Ukrainian USVs engaged directly. Kraken meanwhile trialled an unarmed Saab radar picket boat on 5 and 6 October.
Ukrainian forces and ARX Robotics
A Ukrainian Sargan-3000 destroyed a Russian robot boat on 12 September, and the first ARX GEREON ground robots reached Ukraine on 29 September. The Sargan-3000 carries a mounted gun.
Indian Register of Shipping
Certified Accurate Industrial Controls' ISACA collision-avoidance software to IMO standards after five audited milestones and 2,500 hours of trials. The firm plans to use it converting six Indian Navy patrol boats.