Autonomous Saildrones Monitor Russian 'Phantom Fleet' Amid NATO Exercises in the Baltic Sea

According to a recent publication by Saildrone, the company has showcased its cutting-edge surveillance technology by successfully spotting Russian “shadow fleet” vessels during NATO’s operations in the baltic sea. From June 16 to 27, 2025, four Saildrone Voyager uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) were deployed in the Gulf of Finland and western Baltic Sea as part of NATO’s Task Force X Baltic initiative. This operation was spearheaded by NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT), working alongside NATO Maritime Command (MARCOM) and the Center for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE). The goal was to seamlessly integrate uncrewed systems into active maritime missions conducted by Allied forces.

During this mission, the Saildrone Voyagers provided round-the-clock surveillance despite facing tough whether conditions like gale-force winds and waves over two meters high. Impressively,these USVs tracked hundreds of vessels each day,identifying both exercise “red forces” and real-world targets such as russian military ships operating nearby.

This deployment highlighted how effectively Saildrone’s long-range radar can work with fast unmanned maritime assets. The Voyagers’ capability to detect significant contacts from afar allowed for quick investigations by swifter uncrewed vessels. This demonstrated a refined autonomous force structure that can adapt in real-time to changing maritime situations.

Richard jenkins, founder and CEO of Saildrone, expressed pride in participating in this initiative: “Having spent eight years operating our USVs in challenging environments like the Bering Sea has prepared us well for similar conditions found in the Baltic.”

The Task Force X initiative emerged due to rising concerns about maritime security linked to increased Russian activities threatening vital undersea infrastructure—an issue made evident by recent damage inflicted on undersea cables connecting NATO Allies.

At a summit held among Baltic Sea NATO Allies earlier this year, Secretary General Mark rutte emphasized this initiative’s significance: “We’ve agreed today on deploying new technologies including naval drones for better surveillance and deterrence.” French Navy Admiral Pierre Vandier added that this effort was mobilized rapidly following cable disruptions and allows nations to utilize commercially available dual-use technologies alongside advanced AI-driven platforms for enhanced persistent monitoring.

Saildrone operates on a contractor-owned model that streamlines mission operations while delivering data as a service. This approach not only facilitates swift deployment but also alleviates pressure on government or commercial partners.The triumphant performance of their Voyager USV platform during these operations reinforces its potential effectiveness within defense contexts—even amidst challenging marine environments.