UK-based uncrewed surface vessel (USV) specialist Kraken Technology Group announced on 23 June 2025 that it has secured simultaneous funding commitments from major strategic investors to support its rapid expansion plans.
The investors include the NATO Innovation Fund and the UK’s National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF), as well as Superangel: a leading European venture capital firm.
Kraken, which develops cost-effective, open-architecture USVs for surveillance, force protection and multi-domain operations, will use the funding for the continued development of manufacturing, R&D, international scaling and rapid prototyping.
“The alignment of sovereign and intergovernmental funding showcases the wide and growing need for scalable, modular maritime systems across NATO,” the company stated in a press release. “Kraken’s modular, scalable, production-ready platforms offer a compelling solution – enhancing naval capabilities at lower cost with reduced risk to personnel.”
Driven by rising global tensions, the growing threat to subsea infrastructure and the need to secure vital sea lanes,
Kraken is already delivering scale production orders to NATO countries from its facilities in Hampshire, which have been supported by recent strategic investments from a range of international private and public organisations.
The company’s current lineup includes the K3 Scout: a high-performance, low-cost USV designed with a fully modular payload bay. The K3 Scout Medium, meanwhile, is in use on operational exercises with NATO.
Kraken’s range also includes the K4 Manta uncrewed surface/subsurface capability delivery platform and the K5 Kraken crewed maritime precision engagement gunship, which the company bills as an ‘Apache of the Seas’. Each vessel is designed for modular deployment across a spectrum of maritime and coastal operations.
“As traditional fleets adapt to changing threats, Kraken’s unmanned systems allow for smarter, more efficient use of crewed assets whilst delivering scalable end-user capability at a fraction of the traditional cost point,” Kraken CEO Mal Crease was quoted as saying in a company press release. “The investment received is a powerful vote of confidence in Kraken and its platforms, particularly given the nature of the funds. We look forward to working with the NIF, NSSIF and others as we continue to grow our capabilities and further our mission in partnership with other NATO countries.”
Patrick Schneider-Sikorsky, a partner at the NATO Innovation Fund, stated “Dispersed and uncrewed maritime systems are vital to ensuring naval superiority and securing Allies’ interests in contested waters. Kraken’s cutting-edge technology delivers a force-multiplying edge over traditional fleets, enabling persistent presence and rapid response without putting sailors at risk. We’re proud to back Kraken in strengthening NATO’s maritime posture and delivering decisive, autonomous capabilities across air, land, and especially the sea.”
Kraken also quoted an NSSIF spokesperson as saying, “We’re delighted to be investing in Kraken: a modern, innovative and high-performance UK maritime business.”
