French company SEAir has unveiled its ARROW project—a fully autonomous, uncrewed surface vessel—developed under a €7.5 million ($8.6 million) initiative funded by the European Defence Fund and coordinated by the European Defence Agency. Launched in Brussels, the project targets delivery by 2028 and aims to bolster Europe’s maritime security capabilities.
The ARROW vessel measures 12 meters (39 feet) and can operate autonomously or with a crew. It features hydrofoil technology enabling speeds of up to 45 knots (83 km/h or 52 mph) and a range of 400 nautical miles (740 kilometers). Its innovative design is engineered to reduce fuel use by 50%, generate minimal wake, and support stealth operations.
SEAir is heading a 10-member consortium comprising SMEs and research bodies from eight EU countries and associated states. Notable contributors include C&V Defence, D3 Applied Technologies, Knierim Yachtbau, Maritime Robotics, Riga Technical University, Tallinn University of Technology, Sierra Tango, Maxwell Applied Tech, and EU3STAR.
Highlighting Europe’s 90,000 kilometers (56,000 miles) of coastline and vital maritime corridors, SEAir emphasized that ARROW provides a more agile, fuel-efficient, and responsive solution for emerging maritime threats.
This project aligns with the EU’s broader defense agenda. In May, the European Commission allocated €910 million ($1.02 billion) via the European Defence Fund to boost regional security. The funding covers €369 million ($415 million) for 39 research projects and €539 million ($606 million) for 23 development programs—some involving Ukrainian industries for the first time. The investment supports a wider EU strategy to mobilize €800 billion ($901.6 billion) over five years for defense modernization.
