Thales is spearheading the SEACURE project, part of the European Defence Fund (EDF), with the goal of achieving a sovereign European capability in future Anti-Submarine and Seabed Warfare. Launched in November 2024, the project is set to span 45 months and involves 35 European partners from 13 EU member states.
Building on the successful completion of the EDIDP (European Defence Industrial Development Programme) SEANICE project in late 2023, SEACURE aims to develop advanced, autonomous systems for the detection, classification, identification, and tracking of underwater threats. These systems will be tested at sea by 2028 and will utilize a combination of air, surface, and underwater drones to enhance maritime security.
As global tensions rise, particularly in regions like the European Union’s borders, the Middle East, and the Far East, the need to safeguard maritime infrastructure becomes more critical. The protection of vital assets such as offshore wind farms and other marine resources requires continuous surveillance to prevent malicious actions by both state and non-state actors. SEACURE responds to these emerging threats by developing new capabilities for joint Anti-Submarine and Seabed Warfare operations, ensuring the security of critical infrastructure.
The SEACURE program will focus on creating an integrated, modular, and scalable system that is both autonomous and interoperable, offering a versatile defence system for future maritime security operations. The system is designed to be agile and collaborative, enabling nations to work together to ensure the safety of their waters and the freedom to operate in them.
By fostering a more resilient and cooperative global maritime security framework, SEACURE is not only a key step in securing Europe’s maritime interests but also in laying the foundation for broader international collaboration in safeguarding the seas.
The SEACURE project follows in the footsteps of SEANICE, a research initiative that concluded in November 2023, further advancing Europe’s capabilities to protect its critical maritime infrastructure and combat emerging underwater threats.
