he 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 under the leadership of the Estonian shipbuilding company Baltic Workboats. 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 defense capabilities across Europe. The kick-off involved workshops in Tallinn and a shipyard visit to Nasva, Saaremaa.
Baltic Workboats is leading the consortium of 23 companies and research institutions from European nations such as 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 Defence Fund and 30 million euros from participating countries and companies themselves.
“The participation in the project and leadership of the consortium is both a great honour as well a huge responsibility that allows Baltic Workboats to demonstrate it cutting edge technology and competence as a shipbuilder as well as learn new technologies,” said Margus Vanaselja, the CEO of Baltic Workboats.
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.
Baltic Workboats is responsible for constructing the test vessel, all the work will take place in Nasva factory, Saaremaa. The prototype’s sea trials will also be conducted in Estonian waters in collaboration with the Estonian Navy and the prototype is finished and tested by the end of 2027.
“The EDF funded four-year project aims to enhance cooperation between European defence industries as well as allows the sea defence of Euorope reach to a new level due to the next-generation design, adaptable for various missions, would enable the application of this type of ship in different naval command and support roles the modular and state-of-the-art ship design,” noted Francisco Casalduero, the Defence Development Programme project manager at the European Commission’s Directorate General for Defence Industry and Space.
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 and the creation of unified defence capabilities across Europe.
, 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.){kind=link}