Kraken and Umoe Mandal Sign Agreement on Uncrewed Maritime Platforms

British autonomous vessel manufacturer Kraken Technology Group and Norwegian shipbuilder Umoe Mandal have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to explore cooperation on uncrewed maritime platforms for the UK, Norway and wider European markets. The agreement was signed aboard HMS Prince of Wales in Oslo on 10 November 2026, during the International Sea Power Conference. The proposed collaboration will combine Kraken's autonomous vessel technology with Umoe Mandal's expertise in composite shipbuilding, manufacturing, and regional support services.

 

Umoe Mandal has more than 30 years of experience designing and constructing lightweight, high-strength composite vessels and marine structures. The Norwegian company built the Royal Norwegian Navy's Skjold-class corvettes and supplies composite mast structures for the Royal Navy's Type 26 frigates. Under the agreement, the companies will examine how these capabilities could support the development and production of Kraken's uncrewed platforms. They will also explore opportunities for vessel integration, maintenance and technical support in Norway and continental Europe, potentially strengthening Kraken's regional manufacturing and operational capabilities.

 

The partnership will assess opportunities across naval defense, maritime surveillance, offshore energy and critical infrastructure protection. These applications require vessels capable of supporting monitoring, inspection and other maritime operations, including missions where deploying personnel may be costly or operationally challenging. The companies intend to explore how composite vessel construction and autonomous systems could be combined to meet different operational requirements. However, the agreement remains exploratory, with no specific vessel design, procurement contract or joint production program confirmed.

 

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The announcement follows Kraken's earlier industrial partnerships with Rheinmetall in Germany and Davie in Canada, extending its network of international maritime technology and manufacturing partners. It also aligns with broader UK-Norway defence and industrial cooperation under the Lunna House Agreement. Kraken raised $175 million in Series B financing earlier in 2026 at a reported valuation of $1 billion and is pursuing plans to expand annual production capacity to 1,000 vessels. The proposed cooperation with Umoe Mandal could support this expansion by adding access to Norwegian shipbuilding expertise and regional facilities, although neither company has confirmed a manufacturing allocation under the agreement.

 

Mal Crease, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kraken Technology Group, said Umoe Mandal's experience building complex naval vessels would provide a basis for exploring joint capabilities. The companies will now assess potential technical and commercial opportunities across their target markets. Financial terms, investment commitments and implementation timelines have not been disclosed, and any future manufacturing or operational partnership will depend on the outcome of these discussions.

 

Source: Kraken Technology Group