French company SEAir has kicked off a European Defence Fund-backed initiative to develop ARROW, an advanced autonomous surface vessel. The 12-meter uncrewed craft was unveiled in Brussels and is expected to be operational by 2028 under a €7.5 million ($8.6 million) budget, managed through the European Defence Agency.
ARROW is designed for both crewed and autonomous missions and features hydrofoil technology that enables speeds up to 45 knots and a range of 400 nautical miles. It’s built for stealthy operations with low fuel use, reduced wake, and high agility.
SEAir is leading a consortium of 10 entities across eight European countries, including SMEs like Maritime Robotics and C&V Defence, along with technical institutions such as Riga Technical University and Tallinn University of Technology.
The effort aligns with the EU’s broader push to boost regional defense capabilities. In May, the European Commission announced €910 million in EDF funding for drone defense and mobility projects, with €539 million allocated for 23 new development programs and Ukrainian firms participating for the first time.
