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Estonia-led EUROGUARD project moving toward a semi-autonomous vessel

Republic of Estonia - Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI)

29.10.2025

At the beginning of October, the partners of the European Defence Fund development project EUROGUARD met in Rome to discuss the next steps in implementing development activities. Estonia was represented at the meeting by the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment (RKIK), the Estonian Navy, and Baltic Workboats.

Within the framework of the EUROGUARD project, a 45-meter-long semi-autonomous vessel is being developed, which, thanks to modular solutions, can be adapted for various maritime operations. The vessel can operate both independently and as part of a larger fleet. The hull will be built on Saaremaa island, in Estonia at the Baltic Workboats shipyard, and it will be equipped with a range of world-class advanced technologies. The completion of the hull is scheduled for the spring of 2026, with sea trials planned to begin in the autumn of the same year.

The project involves nine European Union member states and 23 consortium organizations. Estonia serves as the lead nation for EUROGUARD both at the member-state and consortium levels — the member states are led by RKIK, while the consortium is led by Baltic Workboats. The total project budget is approximately €95 million, of which about €65 million is provided as a grant from the European Commission. In addition to Estonia, the project also includes Italy, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, and France.

"The EUROGUARD project gives us an excellent opportunity to develop and test autonomous and modular solutions in maritime defense, where conditions are far more diverse and changeable compared to land and air domains," said Ats Janno, Project Manager of EUROGUARD. "The knowledge and experience gained will provide a strong foundation for assessing the suitability of new technologies and for developing new capabilities. While land and air defense technologies are advancing rapidly, maritime defense solutions have so far remained largely theoretical — EUROGUARD helps to change that. It is also important that Estonia is strongly represented in the project and is working together with our key allies," Janno added.