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Kraken Robotics (TSXV:PNG) and SH Defense sign agreement for containerized MCM solutions

Technology
TSXV:PNG
07 June 2021 08:45 (EDT)
Kraken Robotics - President and CEO, Karl Kenny

Source: Kraken Robotic Systems Inc.

Kraken Robotics (PNG) and SH Defense (SHD) will design and sell containerized mine counter measurements (MCM) and other subsea surveillance and robotic solutions.

SHD is an international company that produces hydraulic, electric and mechanical system solutions, including containerized multi-mission module systems for the worldwide naval industry. SHD manufactures The Cube™, a next-generation evolution of StanFlex containers.

Karl Kenny, Kraken President and CEO said,

“Kraken is very pleased to co-operate with SHD for containerized subsea surveillance payloads for the naval and commercial marine industry. These modular payloads will include Kraken surveillance systems and SH container modules. SH Defense will globally promote and sell containerized subsea surveillance solutions with a variety of Kraken’s surveillance solutions. In Canada, Kraken, supported by SHD, will promote, sell, deliver, install and service SHD hydraulic, electric and mechanical system modular containerized solutions to the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Coast Guard and commercial industry.”

Today’s global naval operating environment requires navies to increase their range into new operating theatres like the Arctic and extend their platform capabilities and operate more autonomous and remotely piloted systems to provide enhanced maritime domain awareness and operational capabilities. Shipbuilders are designing in this flexibility and interoperability by including flexible accommodation for containerized mission systems.

An Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) is an example of this.

An OPV is a surface ship designed for coastal operations, including both defence (i.e. naval mine countermeasures) and constabulary roles. By using containerized solution modules that can be rapidly exchanged, these warships can deploy with mission agility and quickly convert to tackle a range of other roles such as maritime security, border control, anti-smuggling, counter-terrorism, disaster relief and more.

OPVs are the fastest-growing segment of nation-owned fleets and worldwide demand for OPVs has proliferated in recent years. OPVs allow governments to share platforms across government agencies as seen in Canada with the AOPS design being shared between the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard. Tensions from the Mediterranean Sea to the South China Sea, coupled with the multiple low-cost capabilities offered by OPVs, are key factors behind their increasing success. For waters in the Middle East, OPVs are seen as one of the main solutions to growing piracy concerns and efforts to protect economic interests.

Market analysts, Market Watch, estimate that in 2020 the global Offshore Patrol Vessels market was valued at over US$24 billion and is expected to reach over US$44 billion by the end of 2026, growing at a CAGR of 8.7% during the period.

The market for OPVs is strong as countries seek to modernize, upgrade and replace platforms to keep pace with changes in technology and the evolving threat spectrum. When coupled with rapidly exchangeable containerized payloads, OPV will enable nations to move quickly and easily between roles and missions.  Further, containerized mission-specific payloads can quickly be shared between other platforms within a country’s existing fleet or of an allied nation.

The relationship between Kraken Robotics and SH Defence is focused on the agility required for future maritime operations by bringing together two leading capabilities and companies to make this possible: Kraken Robotics and their autonomous mission systems, and SH Defence with their standardized containerization capability and container handling products.

Kraken Robotics is a marine technology company dedicated to producing and selling software-centric sensors, subsea batteries and thrusters underwater robotic systems.

Kraken Robotics Inc. (PNG) opened trading at C$0.62 per share.

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