Kraken Technology Group has locked in a new Scandinavian partner to accelerate production of uncrewed maritime systems, signing a Letter of Intent with Norway’s Umoe Mandal AS at the International Sea Power Conference.
The move signals deeper UK-Norway industrial ties under the Lunna House Agreement, a bilateral framework focused on defense cooperation. Kraken, which recently raised $175 million in Series B funding at a $1 billion valuation, aims to crank out 1,000 vessels annually.
Umoe Mandal brings more than three decades of composite shipbuilding expertise from its yard in southern Norway. The company constructed the Royal Norwegian Navy’s Skjold-class corvettes, lightweight high-speed warships built entirely from composite materials. It also produces composite mast structures for the Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigates.
Under the new agreement, the two firms will examine how Umoe Mandal’s structural and materials know-how could feed into Kraken’s platform development. They will also pursue integration work and support services across Norway and continental Europe.
Target markets include defense, maritime surveillance, offshore energy, and protection of critical infrastructure. Demand for low-cost uncrewed vessels continues to climb across Europe, particularly as navies and energy operators seek affordable ways to monitor vast coastal and offshore areas.
This deal extends Kraken’s existing industrial network. The company already partners with Rheinmetall in Germany and Davie in Canada. Norway’s inclusion adds another Joint Expeditionary Force member to that roster.
Kraken CEO and founder Mal Crease pointed to Umoe Mandal’s track record with novel and complex naval platforms. The collaboration, he said, would help both companies defend their respective waters while strengthening cross-border industrial cooperation.
The next step involves turning the Letter of Intent into concrete engineering and production plans. If successful, the partnership could position Norway as a key node in Kraken’s pan-European supply chain.
