Québec-based shipbuilder Davie Shipbuilding and UK defence technology firm Kraken Technology Group have announced a collaboration to develop and produce autonomous maritime systems in Canada.
The agreement sets out plans for Davie to support the production, integration and development of Kraken’s uncrewed surface vessels and related autonomous systems. The work will be carried out within Davie’s Canadian facilities and is intended to combine Kraken’s technology with Davie’s shipbuilding capacity.
The partnership aims to scale the development of autonomous maritime platforms, including modular systems designed for both defence and civilian applications.
The collaboration aligns with government investment in autonomous and AI-enabled naval capabilities, alongside wider programmes to modernise maritime fleets and strengthen domestic industrial capacity.
Philip Burns-O'Brien, Senior Vice-President Commercial Development, Davie Shipbuilding, said:This collaboration represents a leap in our evolution as a next-generation maritime industrial leader. The future of maritime security will see crewed and autonomous vessels operating seamlessly across vast distances in the world's most contested environments. Kraken brings world-class autonomous vessel technologies. Davie brings scale, advanced shipbuilding infrastructure and a record of delivering mission-critical vessels on time and on budget.
For Davie Shipbuilding, the arrangement will allow it to expand its role in advanced naval manufacturing while incorporating new technologies into its production lines. The company operates shipbuilding and repair facilities in Québec and is involved in several domestic and international maritime projects.
Kraken Technology Group said the partnership will support wider deployment of its autonomous vessel systems in North America and accelerate production capacity through industrial cooperation.
Mal Crease, CEO of Kraken Technology Group, said:This partnership with Davie is a significant opportunity for us to continue growing our footprint in North America. The ability to accelerate production and deployment of our modular, scalable and proven platforms will ensure that we can deliver to our customers across the defence, security and commercial domains. Combining innovation with industrial capacity is paramount to the future of our security at sea and we look forward to delivering this with Davie.
The companies described autonomous systems as increasingly relevant to maritime operations, alongside traditional crewed vessels, particularly in areas such as surveillance, logistics and defence support functions.
The agreement aligns with Canada’s broader industrial strategy for shipbuilding and defence procurement, which encourages domestic production and international partnerships.
