EDF project EUROGUARD kicked off in Estonia
The EUROGUARD project, funded by the European Defence Fund (EDF), has officially commenced in Estonia. With an investment of almost 100 million, the project involves a collaboration between 23 enterprises and the cooperation of 10 EU Member States. The consortium is coordinated by the Estonian shipbuilding company Baltic Workboats with dotOcean. The primary objective of this initiative is to develop a modular and semi-autonomous surface vessel platform equipped with a remote control system, aiming to strengthen sea defence capabilities across Europe. The kick-off involved workshops in Tallinn and a shipyard visit to Nasva, Saaremaa.
dotOcean is part of a consortium of 23 companies and research institutes from France, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Sweden, Spain and Estonia. The project total budget amounts to 95 million euros, with 65 million euros from the European Commission and 30 million euros from participating countries and companies themselves.
“In this project, dotOcean acts as a Technology Area leader to create the digital backbone of the vessel. We will also contribute to the safe navigation and general architecture topics.” says Koen Geirnaert, CEO of dotOcean
The specific capabilities of the prototype will be determined through multi-year research and development activities, but in general, the vessel should be capable of autonomous navigation, obstacle and threat detection, collision avoidance, and other mission-specific tasks. The prototype must adhere to the principle of modularity, allowing it to be assembled according to specific needs or tasks. Innovation is also expected in the propulsion system, with environmental sustainability being an important keyword.
The Project scope will include the production of a prototype vessel for testing purposes. The prototype’s sea trials will also be conducted in Estonian waters in collaboration with the Estonian Navy. It is planned to be finished and tested by the end of 2027.
EUROGUARD will combine state-of-the-art and innovative technologies to study, design, prototype and test a first-of-its-kind versatile medium-sized semi-autonomous surface naval vessel. The sea trials will be conducted in Estonian waters in collaboration with the Estonian Navy. It is planned to be finished and tested by the end of 2027.
“The EDF funded four-year project EUROGUARD is a major step forward in EU cross-border cooperation at both industrial and governmental levels in the naval sector. EUROGUARD reinforces the European Defence Industrial and Technological Base, and fosters greater, and concrete defence cooperation while providing EU navies with a multipurpose and cost-effective capability for littoral operational environments” noted Francisco Casalduero, Programme Manager at the European Commission’s Directorate General for Defence Industry and Space.
The EUROGUARD consortium comprises the following organisations:
- Baltic Workboats AS (Coordinator)
- Aircraft Development and Systems Engineering (ADSE) BV
- Akademia Marynarki Wojennej (Polish Naval Academy)
- Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding B.V.
- dotOcean N.V.
- ELETTRONICA SPA
- Fincantieri
- Kongsberg Maritime
- Leonardo S.p.A. (assuming “Leonard” refers to Leonardo S.p.A.)
- Marduk Technologies
- Naval Group Belgium
- Naval Group SA
- Navantia S.A., S.M.E.
- Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek (TNO)
- Odense Maritime Technology
- Osrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy Centrum Techniki Morskiej S.A
- RHEA System B.V.
- Safran Electronics & Defense
- SH Defence
- SSPA Sweden AB
- Stichting Maritiem Research Instituut Nederland
- Technische Universiteit Delft
- Thales DMS France SAS
The European Defence Fund aims to strengthen the European defence industry and promote research and development in the field. The fund supports the development of innovative projects aiming to improve and increase defence capabilities across the EU.
