At the DSEI 2025 exhibition in London, the Latvian startup SUBmerge Baltic showcased its latest autonomous underwater vehicle, Pike. This was reported by Army Recognition.
This drone is designed for patrolling, mapping, and inspecting underwater activities near critical infrastructure. The marine drone can operate in both controlled and fully autonomous modes. It is capable of inspecting underwater pipelines and cables to detect potential damages.
The first operating mode allows for an eight-hour work period at distances of several hundred meters, suitable for thorough inspections or port operations. The second mode enables operations lasting several days, allowing the drone to travel hundreds of kilometers from its base, depending on weather conditions and payload.
The Pike features a modular frame that allows for sensor changes without needing to send the drone back to the factory. It is known to be powered by batteries, though specific performance characteristics have not been disclosed. Additionally, the underwater drone can be launched from a small boat or directly from a dock.
The publication notes that the theme of underwater infrastructure security has become a priority for NATO in light of several incidents that damaged cables and pipelines in the Baltic Sea region. Therefore, the Pike could potentially play a significant role in defense structures.
While the drone itself cannot stop saboteurs or replace escort teams or satellite surveillance, it can help minimize blind spots and reduce costs for routine inspections.
Previously, the German company EUROATLAS introduced a new underwater drone called Greyshark, which exists in two variants and is capable of autonomously changing its tasks thanks to artificial intelligence.
