The partnership forms part of Saildrone’s broader European growth strategy, which includes a new regional headquarters in Copenhagen and manufacturing partnerships in Norway, Poland and the Netherlands. Umoe Mandal will take a central role in that expansion through production of the Surveyor V3.
For Umoe Mandal, the program fits with its focus on defense and advanced maritime security systems. The company has expanded its role in international naval programs through mast structures for Royal Navy and Royal Norwegian Navy Type 26 frigates, advanced naval gun cupolas and a growing portfolio of defense-related projects.
The Surveyor program also comes as Umoe Mandal expands its production facilities and industrial capacity to meet rising demand from defense and security customers. The company said the project supports its ambition to become a leading European partner for next-generation maritime and defense solutions.
“This collaboration combines Saildrone’s world leading autonomous technology with Umoe Mandal’s expertise in advanced composite structures, lightweight materials, and high-performance vessel manufacturing,” said Tom Fidjeland, CEO of Umoe Mandal. “We are proud to contribute to the future of autonomous maritime operations while supporting European industrial growth and security.”
Saildrone said Umoe Mandal’s experience in advanced composites and high-performance vessel construction made it a natural partner for the next generation of Surveyor. Production in Norway is also intended to give European customers access to sovereign manufacturing capacity closer to their operations.
“We’re excited to partner with Umoe Mandal, whose decades of expertise in advanced composites and high-performance vessel construction make them a natural partner for the next generation of Surveyor,” said Robert Kleist, Saildrone Europe Managing Director. “Building Surveyor in Norway will bring that deep maritime know-how together with our technology, while giving our European customers access to sovereign production capacity closer to where they operate.”
