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Showing posts with label Kraken Robotics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kraken Robotics. Show all posts

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Kraken Robotics in a great position to help supply NATO navies with their sub sea technology - July Update!

 


Did Desjardin just Release the Kraken? - Kraken Robotics Investment and Business Report (June 2025)

Kraken Robotics’ recent momentum as a growing business and investment opportunity, now including these strategic dimensions:


๐Ÿ’ฐ 1. C$100 Million Bought-Deal Financing

  • What’s new: Kraken announced a bought‑deal public offering in June 2025—raising roughly C$100 million with a 15% over-allotment.

  • Why it’s positive:

    • Bolsters liquidity, enabling aggressive expansions or debt reduction.

    • Supports continued investment in acquisitions and manufacturing scale-up.


๐Ÿงช 2. Acquisition of 3D at Depth (Closed April 2025)


๐Ÿญ 3. Nova Scotia Subsea Battery Facility

  • What happened: Plans for a high-energy SeaPower™ battery plant in Halifax slated for late 2025 krakenrobotics.com+2krakenrobotics.com+2krakenrobotics.com+2.

  • Why it matters:

    • Strategic location: Halifax—Canada East Coast Navy HQ and major NATO port—offers logistical and defense synergies.

    • Defense reach: Perfect staging for contracts, including those with NATO navies. Infrastructure and proven naval partnerships are already in place.


๐Ÿ“ˆ 4. Robust Q1 2025 Results & Backlog

  • What happened: Q1 revenue was C$16.1 M with 62.7% gross margin, C$58 M in cash (up sharply YOY), and C$94.6 M in working capital.

  • Why it’s positive:

    • Confirms improved profitability, operational efficiency, and a strong cushion for growth.


๐Ÿงญ 5. Growing Bookings & Service Expansion

  • What happened: Since Q4 2024, Kraken received ~$45 M in subsea battery orders and ~$3 M in sonar bookings.


  • Why it matters:

    • Reflects sustained demand in defense and offshore energy sectors.

    • Validates product-market fit across diverse offerings.


๐ŸŽฏ 6. Defense & NATO Engagement

  • What happened: Ongoing contracts include $50 M+ for Royal Canadian Navy mine hunting systems in Halifax and past contracts with NATO navies (Australia and UK).


  • Why it’s important:

    • Halifax facility aligns geographically with Kraken’s East Coast naval customers.

    • Strengthens NATO interoperability and trust amid global naval tensions.


✅ 7. Comprehensive Subsea Ecosystem & Diversification

  • What’s evolving: Kraken now offers sonar (KATFISH™), LiDAR (SeaVision + 3D at Depth), subsea batteries (SeaPower™), and RaaS.


  • Pipeline inspection through Kraken Seapower
  • Why it’s smart:

    • Reduced reliance on a single revenue stream.

    • Offers integrated solutions for underwater defense and infrastructure clients.


๐Ÿ“Š Summary Table

StrengthDetails
Financial PowerC$100M financing + C$58M cash = strong investment capability
North American ReachU.S. operations via 3D at Depth + Halifax manufacturing
Defense EcosystemHalifax ties to RCN and NATO; major contracts secured
Tech PortfolioIntegrated sensors + power + service delivery
Proven DemandOrder backlog and major contracts affirm market traction

๐ŸŽฏ Why This Update Matters for Investors

  • Global Expansion: A U.S. footprint hedges geopolitical trade risks, unlocking access to American contracts.

  • Strategic NATO Positioning: Halifax location and facility align with allied naval operations, reinforcing defense supply chain credentials.

  • Integrated Tech Stance: Offers deep-tech defense clients everything from data to power, buoyed by recurring service demand.

  • Financial Firepower: Strong capital reserves enable execution of strategy without dilution or debt stress.


In combining financial strength, geographic diversification (Canada + U.S.), purpose-built naval infrastructure, and a full-stack subsea solution, Kraken Robotics has elevated its status to more than a sensor company—it’s now a strategically aligned defense-tech enabler with actual commercial momentum. These developments make it a more compelling long-term investment.

Here’s a deeper look into Kraken Robotics (PNG/KRKNF) covering contract timelines, valuation considerations, and the competitive landscape:


๐Ÿ“… Contract Timelines & Execution

  • Royal Canadian Navy Remote Mine hunting & Disposal System (RMDS)

    • Awarded: December 2022, with formal kickoff in January 2023.

    • Acquisition phase: 24 months, through end-2024, followed by a 5‑year integrated logistics support (ILS) program ($40 M acquisition + $10 M ILS) .

    • Operational readiness: RMDS installations expected fully operational in 2025 .

  • KATFISH Sonar System for Royal Danish Navy

    • Integration began in 2023, achieving full operational capability in early 2024.

    • Sustenance contract spans 7 years with potential extensions up to 21 years .

  • NATO Vessels Upgrade Contract

    • Roughly US $9 M follow-on deal secured in late 2022 for additional KATFISH units, tentacle winches, and autonomous launch-recovery systems (ALARS) .



๐Ÿ“ˆ Valuation Snapshot & Market Outlook

  • Analyst price targets: Average 12% upside to CA $3.40 (range CA $3.28–$3.68) over the next 12 months .

  • Intrinsic value vs market price:

    • Simply Wall St: Fair value ~CA $3.28, placing current price ~7% below fair value .

  • Key metrics:

    • Trailing P/E around 38× (Yahoo Finance), forward P/E not yet meaningful .

    • P/E ~42× vs industry avg. ~31× (Simply Wall St) .

    • EV/EBITDA ~28× vs sector avg. ~18× .

  • Growth: Earnings projected ~8% annually; last year saw ~136% growth .


๐Ÿ† Competitive Positioning

Strengths:

  • Integrated solution platform: Combines advanced sonar (KATFISH™, AquaPix™), subsea LiDAR (SeaVision + 3D at Depth), batteries (SeaPower™), AUVs, and RaaS—enhancing defensibility.

  • Long-term contracts:

    • Danish results show FOC achieved and a multi-year sustainment contract .

    • Canadian RMDS creates 7+ years of recurring revenue .

  • Global adoption: 

  • Deployed across the U.S., U.K., Australia, Denmark, Poland—plus mounting interest from NATO .

Risks:

  • High valuation relative to peers: Premium multiples imply investor expectations for continued growth.

  • Execution risk: Meeting ambitious contract delivery timelines across multiple large-scale programs.

  • Geopolitical dependency: Much revenue tied to defense budgets, which can be cyclical.


๐Ÿงญ Investment Implications

MetricInsight
Cash flow & marginsLarge multi-year contracts with sustainment provide stable, predictable revenue.
Geographic diversificationU.S. and NATO footprint hedges trade/tension risks; Halifax location aligns with naval operations.
Valuation debateDisagreement between growth-based models (Simply Wall St) and DCF-based (Alpha Spread); current price sits between fair-value estimates.
Catalysts
  • RMDS ramp in 2025

  • Further U.S./EU contracts via 3D at Depth presence

  • Continued deployment of KATFISH on NATO-MCM vessels |

Conclusion: Kraken’s strategic positioning, recurring revenue pipelines, and expanding global engagement present a compelling growth narrative. However, execution reliability and valuation premiums warrant careful monitoring—especially given its ~40× P/E.


Here’s a refined look at how NATO’s new 5% GDP defense‑spending pledge bolsters Kraken Robotics’ strategic positioning—and why it matters:


๐ŸŒ NATO’s 5% Defense Commitment


๐Ÿ“ฃ What This Means for Kraken Robotics

  1. Boost in Core Defence Procurement

    • With NATO countries winding up core defense budgets, there's greater emphasis and funding available for equipment like sonar systems (e.g. KATFISH™), underwater LiDAR, power systems, and autonomous platforms—all in Kraken’s portfolio.

  2. Infrastructure Spending Tailwinds

    • The additional 1.5% of GDP aimed at dual-use infrastructure—ports, bridges, cyber, and shipyards—aligns perfectly with Kraken’s Halifax battery plant and its sensor systems used for marine infrastructure monitoring and readiness.

  3. Special Defense Focus on Canada & Allies

    • Canada (currently ~1.3% GDP on defense) is expected to scale up significantly. Kraken’s Halifax facility—on the East Coast naval hub at a major NATO port—is primed to capture more contracts as defense budgets grow.

  4. Leverage European/NATO Industrial Expansion

    • As NATO boosts its defense-industrial base under this plan, Kraken stands to benefit from increased R&D and procurement contracts across the alliance, particularly in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.


๐Ÿ“ˆ Strategic & Investment Implications for Kraken

AxisPositive Impact
Revenue GrowthLarger NATO defense budgets widen pipeline opportunities for sonar, LiDAR, batteries, AUV deployments, and sustainment contracts.
Geographic & Industrial PushKraken's U.S. and Canadian build-out is well‑aligned with NATO’s spending surge, increasing its positioning as a key supplier.
Valuation UpsideGiven Kraken’s high multiples (P/E ~40×), securing new, credible NATO contracts supports earnings growth and validates premium valuation.
Execution RiskWhile budget increases help, Kraken must still deliver projects on-time and scale its capabilities to meet heightened demand.

๐Ÿงญ Bottom Line

NATO’s 5% GDP commitment is a paradigm shift in defense spending—a ramp-up that directly plays to Kraken Robotics’ strengths:

  • Its full-stack subsea offerings — sonar, LiDAR, batteries, AUV deployment — become increasingly relevant.

  • Its Halifax and U.S. footprint aligns with infrastructure investments and defense-alliances.

  • With large-scale defense budgets unlocking in the coming decade, Kraken is uniquely positioned to capitalize.


Related NATO defense‑spending news

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Did Desjardin just Release the Kraken? - Kraken Robotics Investment and Business Report (June 2025)

 


Company Overview

Name: Kraken Robotics Inc.
Ticker: TSX-V: PNG | OTCQB: KRKNF
Headquarters: Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada
Sector: Maritime Robotics, Defense, and Subsea Infrastructure
Specialties: Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS), subsea batteries, underwater drones (KATFISH), LiDAR, seabed mapping systems


Desjardins Recent Financing (June 2025)

In June 2025, Kraken completed a major bought-deal financing of CAD 100 million, underwritten by Desjardins Capital Markets. The deal involved issuing 37.6 million shares at CAD 2.66/share, with an over-allotment option for an additional 15% (~5.6M shares).

  • Total Proceeds: Up to CAD 115M gross (with over-allotment)

  • Use of Proceeds:

    • Expansion of subsea battery manufacturing in Nova Scotia

    • Acceleration of SAS and KATFISH production

    • Expansion into global naval and energy markets

    • Integration of recent acquisition (3D at Depth)


Major Contracts and Revenue Streams

1. Defense/Naval Sector (NATO & Allies)

Kraken is well-positioned to benefit from increased global defense spending, especially among NATO allies. Recent developments include:

  • NATO Navies (Europe & North America):

    • Multi-year, multi-nation contracts in pipeline

    • Successful demos of KATFISH and AquaPix SAS with navies in Canada, U.K., and Norway


    • Legacy contract with an Asia-Pacific navy for $9.5M CAD

  • Canadian Department of National Defence:

    • Standing Offer Agreements in place

    • Active participant in Canadian defense modernization

2. Subsea Energy Sector (North America, Europe, Asia)

  • Battery Contracts:

    • Orders exceeding $11M CAD for SeaPower subsea batteries for UUVs and AUVs

    • Strong backlog through 2026; production scaling in Canada

  • Acoustic Corer Projects:

    • $8M CAD contract for seabed imaging in offshore wind farms


    • Targeting North Sea, U.S. East Coast, and East Asia wind development

3. Commercial Survey and Offshore Wind

  • Sub-bottom Imaging Contracts:

    • $3M CAD in contracts signed in Q2 for seabed survey and UXO detection

    • LiDAR and 3D imaging added via acquisition of 3D at Depth (US$17M deal closed in April 2025)


Global Expansion & Opportunities

North America

  • Canada: Anchor client for defense, with ongoing naval trials and procurement

  • United States: Entry point through 3D at Depth acquisition; U.S. Navy and offshore wind developers are key prospects

Europe

  • U.K. Royal Navy: Target client for KATFISH SAS and subsea batteries


  • Germany/Norway/Netherlands: Interest from NATO-aligned agencies and surveyors

Asia-Pacific

  • South Korea & Japan: Offshore energy and maritime security are priority targets

  • Australia: Collaborations under consideration for AUV integration with Kraken’s battery tech


Strategic Acquisitions

3D at Depth (Closed April 2025)

  • Adds underwater LiDAR and 3D imaging capabilities

  • Expands Kraken’s offering into real-time digital twins and high-res asset inspection

  • Strengthens U.S. presence


Financial Outlook (2025–2026)

  • 2025E Revenue: CAD 65–70 million

  • EBITDA Margin: 18–20% projected

  • Cash Position Post-Financing: CAD 190M+ (incl. Q1 cash + new capital)

  • Dilution: ~20% increase in outstanding shares (now ~225–230M)


Valuation Commentary

  • Intrinsic Value Estimate: ~CAD 1.60/share based on conservative DCF

  • Catalyst-Based Upside: Potential to exceed CAD 3.00–3.50 if NATO/naval contracts close and battery backlog accelerates

  • Stock Price (Post-Deal): CAD 2.66 (anchor price)


Investment Thesis

Kraken Robotics presents a compelling small-cap defense and robotics play, with:

  • Direct exposure to rising defense spending and subsea security needs

  • Proprietary technology (SAS, subsea batteries, LiDAR)




  • Strong capital position post-financing

  • Contracts in place and strong pipeline across NATO, energy, and commercial sectors

Risks: Execution of integration, government contract delays, market dilution

Upside: Accelerated backlog conversion, new contracts (NATO/U.S. Navy), energy transition tailwinds


Verdict: Kraken Robotics is well-capitalized, technologically differentiated, and globally relevant—poised to scale into a key supplier in subsea defense, robotics, and energy infrastructure.

ED Note:

Full disclosure: We are long PNG stock!

Our previous article from January 2025

A shadow war is brewing under the worlds oceans. 

Release "The Kraken"!

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

A shadow war is brewing under the worlds oceans. Release "The Kraken"!

 


In recent months there have been increasing attacks on this critical infrastructure. In the Baltic, cables and pipelines critical to Europe have been attacked. A Chinese ship has been caught cutting undersea cables to Taiwan. These types of attacks are increasingly significant.  

Western countries are concerned Russia is sabotaging subsea cables that transmit 99% of the world’s data, including an estimated US$10 trillion a day in financial transactions. In response, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) launched its new Baltic Sentry mission earlier this month after several cables under the Baltic Sea were damaged or severed in 2024, allegedly by Russia-backed vessels. On Sunday, Swedish authorities seized a ship suspected of damaging a data cable running under the sea to Latvia.

Enter, Canada's Kraken Robotics!

TSXV: PNG - OTCB: KRKNF

Assessing the Claims

  1. Attacks on Undersea Infrastructure in the Baltic

    • In late September 2022, explosions severely damaged the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea. While investigations are ongoing, many observers regard these incidents as deliberate sabotage, underscoring the vulnerability of critical undersea infrastructure.
    • Beyond the pipelines, there have also been reports of suspicious damage to undersea data cables in Northern Europe (e.g., the Shetland/Faroes cables), though conclusive proof of who (if anyone) orchestrated such damage is difficult to obtain.
  2. Undersea Cables Cut Near Taiwan

    • In February 2023, two undersea cables connecting Taiwan’s outlying Matsu Islands to Taiwan’s main island were severed in close succession. Investigations pointed to two different vessels—a suspected Chinese fishing boat for one cable and a cargo vessel (originating from another country) for the other.
    • While Taiwanese officials noted that these incidents could have been accidental (for instance, fishing boats often drag anchors or nets along the seafloor), they also acknowledged the possibility of deliberate interference. However, there was no publicly disclosed “smoking gun” that conclusively proved sabotage by the Chinese government.
    • To date, most reporting on these events stops short of declaring that a Chinese ship was definitively caught in the act of maliciously cutting cables. Rather, the incidents have heightened concerns about Beijing’s potential to disrupt Taiwan’s communications in a future crisis.
  3. Why Undersea Cables Matter

    • Global Data Backbone: Roughly 95%–99% of international data—encompassing financial transactions, internet traffic, diplomatic communications—travels via fiber-optic cables on the ocean floor.
    • Economic Impact: With many trillions of dollars’ worth of daily transactions dependent on cable integrity, any disruption can cause immediate financial and logistical turmoil.
    • Geopolitical Significance: Because these cables are so crucial, adversaries view them as both a strategic vulnerability and a potential pressure point in times of conflict. Tapping or cutting cables can yield intelligence or inflict economic damage.
  4. Attribution and Challenges

    • Difficulty of Policing: The ocean floor is vast, and cables are often unguarded; investigating a cable break in deep waters can take days or weeks, and the cause (accident vs. sabotage) can remain unclear.
    • Cover of ‘Accidents’: Fishing nets, anchors, or natural disasters (like underwater landslides) regularly cause cable damage, making it easier for saboteurs to hide malicious intent behind plausible deniability.
    • Legal/Operational Hurdles: Even if a country suspects sabotage, gathering and publicizing irrefutable evidence can be diplomatically and legally fraught, especially in disputed or international waters.

Key Takeaways

  • Confirmed Sabotage vs. Suspicion: Incidents in the Baltic (Nord Stream pipelines, reported cable damage) highlight the real possibility of state actors targeting undersea infrastructure. However, public, conclusive proof of exactly who carried out each incident remains limited or contested.
  • Taiwan Incidents: While there is evidence that Chinese vessels were involved in damaging cables near Taiwan’s Matsu Islands, it is not definitively established that these were intentional acts of sabotage. Nonetheless, the incidents have raised legitimate concern about how easily Taiwan’s communications links could be disrupted—whether accidentally or deliberately.
  • Strategic Vulnerability: Undersea cables (and pipelines) are indeed an attractive target in any “shadow war” scenario. Their disruption can yield outsized consequences due to how critical they are to global finance, internet access, and military coordination.

Ultimately, while it is accurate to say there have been suspicious or outright damaging incidents involving pipelines and cables in the Baltic and off Taiwan, the leap to a confirmed global campaign of deliberate cable-cutting—especially attributing it to specific nations—warrants caution. What is clear, though, is that states are increasingly aware of (and concerned about) the strategic leverage these underwater chokepoints represent and NATO navies are paying close attention!

the information below represents a synthesis of what has been widely discussed lately, in open reporting and strategic analyses.


1. The Strategic Importance of Baltic Sea Cables

  • Data Backbone: Over 95% of global internet, voice, and data traffic travels via undersea cables. An estimated US$10 trillion or more in financial transactions moves across these cables daily.
  • European Connectivity: The Baltic Sea is crisscrossed by critical cables linking Northern European countries (Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, etc.) both to each other and to the wider global network. Disruptions there can cause significant economic and communications fallout.
  • Recent Focus: Over the past few years, the Nord Stream pipeline sabotage (September 2022), damage to a Finland-Estonia gas pipeline and communications cable (October 2023), and now alleged cable breaks between Sweden and its neighbors have drawn heightened attention to potential hostile activity under the Baltic.

2. Growing Concerns About Russian Sabotage

  • Post–Nord Stream Anxiety: While the September 2022 Nord Stream explosions (involving the Nord Stream 1 and 2 gas pipelines) remain officially unsolved, many Western officials suspect a state actor’s involvement. This incident highlighted how vulnerable undersea infrastructure can be to sabotage.
  • Pattern of Suspicious Activity: Various European defense analysts and intelligence agencies have pointed to an uptick in Russian naval and “research” vessel presence near critical undersea routes—though direct evidence tying those vessels to sabotage remains largely classified or circumstantial.
  • Accidents vs. Deliberate Action: Cables and pipelines do sometimes get damaged by fishing nets, anchors, or natural events. However, the frequency and timing of recent incidents have fueled suspicions that some are deliberate.

3. NATO’s Response: The “Baltic Sentry” Mission

  • Enhanced Monitoring: NATO has been steadily increasing its maritime patrols and surveillance across the Baltic Sea region, especially after multiple undersea incidents.
  • Baltic Sentry: While NATO has a range of standing naval forces and maritime missions (e.g., Standing NATO Maritime Groups), reports suggest a more focused initiative—referred to by some as the “Baltic Sentry” mission—has been launched to coordinate intelligence-sharing, patrols, and rapid-response capabilities specifically aimed at safeguarding undersea cables and pipelines.
    • Note: Official NATO communications sometimes use different names or do not disclose detailed operational codenames. “Baltic Sentry” may be an umbrella term used in media/analyst circles, or an internal working name for a bolstered presence in the region.

4. The 2024 Incidents and Cable Breaks

  • Multiple Cable Damages: In 2024, a series of incidents saw several undersea data cables in the Baltic either severely damaged or severed outright. Sweden, Finland, Estonia, and Latvia each reported unexpected outages.
  • Attribution Theories: Western defense officials have repeatedly pointed to Russia-backed vessels or pro-Russian “private” actors as prime suspects, though public “smoking gun” evidence can be sparse.
  • Motives: Sabotaging cables can:
    1. Undermine civilian and military communications.
    2. Generate economic disruption.
    3. Send a geopolitical signal of capability to strike “behind the scenes.”

5. Sweden’s Seizure of Suspected Vessel

  • Incident Summary: On a recent Sunday (as reported), Swedish authorities seized a ship suspected of damaging a data cable linking Sweden to Latvia.
  • What We Know
    • Location: The cable break occurred in Swedish territorial (or near-territorial) waters of the Baltic Sea.
    • Suspicious Activity: Local media quoted Swedish coast guard or navy sources who believed the vessel may have been operating with specialized equipment or atypical patterns (e.g., suspicious anchoring or trawling) that led to the cable’s severance.
    • Legal Grounds for Seizure: Under maritime law, Sweden has the right to detain vessels within its territory if there is probable cause that they have caused serious harm or pose an immediate threat to critical infrastructure or environment.
  • Possible Outcomes:
    1. If evidence confirms intentional sabotage, it could lead to diplomatic escalation or even charges under Swedish law.
    2. If deemed accidental, the vessel’s owners/operators may face civil or financial penalties but not necessarily criminal charges.
    3. Ongoing forensic analysis of damage to the cable—and any specialized equipment found on board—will be central to clarifying whether sabotage was intended.

6. Wider Implications

  1. Security and Deterrence: The Swedish seizure indicates Baltic nations are shifting from passive monitoring to proactive interdiction when they see signs of infrastructure tampering. This raises the deterrent for would-be saboteurs.
  2. NATO Cohesion: Events like this underscore the importance of intelligence-sharing among NATO allies, rapid response units, and possibly new frameworks for joint maritime policing under missions like “Baltic Sentry.”
  3. Hybrid Warfare Fears: Damaging critical infrastructure is a classic “hybrid” or “gray zone” tactic—covert enough to allow plausible deniability but impactful enough to disrupt or intimidate an adversary. This complicates direct attribution and can escalate tensions without open conflict.
  4. Commercial Collaboration: The majority of undersea cable infrastructure is owned or co-owned by private telecommunications consortia. Governments, navies, and private companies must coordinate heavily to maintain real-time situational awareness of any anomalies along cable routes.

In Summary

  • Mounting Tensions in the Baltic: A series of undersea cable breaks in 2024 raised alarm among NATO members, prompting a stepped-up maritime security initiative often referred to as “Baltic Sentry.”
  • Swedish Intervention: Swedish authorities’ recent action—seizing a vessel suspected of deliberate or negligent cable damage—signals a more assertive stance in protecting critical data links.
  • Uncertain Attribution: While many Western analysts and officials suspect Russian involvement in these incidents, definitive public evidence remains limited. Official investigations and intelligence might clarify whether these are state-sponsored acts of sabotage or “accidents” that coincide suspiciously with geopolitical tensions.
  • High Stakes: Given the immense strategic and economic value of undersea cables, protecting them has become a top priority for navies and governments worldwide—particularly in the Baltic, where tensions between NATO and Russia remain high.

To quote a famous movie line: 

"Release the Kraken"!

Overview of Kraken Robotics

  1. Company Background

    • Founded: Kraken Robotics was established in 2012 by a team of ocean technology specialists led by CEO Karl Kenny.
    • Headquarters: The company is based in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador (Canada), a region known for its ocean technology cluster and proximity to the North Atlantic.
    • Focus: Kraken specializes in the development of advanced sonar and laser imaging systems, subsea batteries, and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for both military and commercial applications.
  2. Core Technologies and Products

    • Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) Solutions

      • One of Kraken’s hallmark innovations is the AquaPix® family of Synthetic Aperture Sonar systems.
      • SAS technology provides extremely high-resolution imagery of the seabed at longer ranges than conventional side-scan sonar, enabling finer detection of small objects or anomalies.
      • This level of detail is critical for detecting tampering or damage to undersea cables, pipelines, or other subsea infrastructure.
    • KATFISH™ (Towed Undersea Vehicle)

      • The “Kraken Active Towed Fish” system is a high-speed towed sonar vehicle that can map large seafloor areas in real time.
      • KATFISH can be used by navies and coast guards to rapidly survey critical underwater assets (like cables and pipelines) to detect signs of sabotage, damage, or intrusions.
    • ThunderFish® (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, AUV)

      • ThunderFish AUVs are modular, versatile platforms that can operate autonomously for extended durations.
      • Equipped with Kraken’s SAS sensors, ThunderFish can perform detailed inspection and mapping missions, including pipeline and cable route surveys.
    • Subsea Batteries & Power Systems
      • Kraken develops pressure-tolerant, lithium-polymer (Li-Po) batteries suitable for deep-sea operations.
      • Reliable, high-capacity power solutions enable longer-endurance missions for AUVs and ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) engaged in infrastructure security.
    • Data Analytics & AI
      • The company also focuses on software solutions—applying AI and machine learning to automatically detect, classify, and even predict potential hazards or anomalies on the seafloor.
  3. Applications in Protecting Undersea Cables and Pipelines

    • Inspection & Early Threat Detection
      • Kraken’s high-resolution sonar imagery can identify disruptions—such as shifts in the seabed, signs of external damage, or objects placed near cables—that might indicate sabotage or potential hazards.
      • These capabilities allow operators to respond proactively before small issues escalate into larger crises.
    • Regular Monitoring & Maintenance
      • By conducting periodic surveys using towed or autonomous vehicles, governments and private cable consortia can ensure real-time situational awareness of critical subsea infrastructure.
      • This continuous monitoring helps detect natural wear-and-tear or environmental factors (e.g., fishing nets, anchors) that commonly damage cables.
    • Post-Incident Investigation
      • In the event of a suspected sabotage or accident, Kraken’s sensors can provide forensic-level detail, aiding in attributing causes and improving defensive measures in the future.
    • Mine-Countermeasure (MCM) Cross-Over
      • Many of Kraken’s technologies, originally designed to detect naval mines, translate directly into undersea infrastructure protection—both involve detecting small, often concealed objects on or near the seabed.
  4. Partnerships and Customers

    • Defense & Security: Kraken has collaborated with various NATO navies—including the Royal Canadian Navy and the U.S. Navy—on advanced sonar and unmanned systems. These relationships attest to the defense-grade robustness of Kraken’s solutions.
    • Commercial Sector: The company supports offshore energy firms (oil & gas, wind farms) with pipeline, cable, and seabed surveys.
    • Research & Innovation: Kraken often partners with academic institutions and research labs (e.g., Memorial University of Newfoundland) to enhance sensor technology and AI-driven analytics.
  5. Notable Milestones

    • Contracts & Trials: Kraken has won multiple competitive contracts for delivering SAS technology and underwater vehicles to international naval forces, highlighting growing global demand for high-resolution seabed intelligence.
    • Acquisitions & Growth: In 2021, Kraken acquired PanGeo Subsea, a move that expanded their offerings into sub-bottom imaging—useful for detecting buried objects or evaluating seabed conditions that can threaten cables and pipelines.
    • Innovation Accolades: The company’s SAS systems have received recognition for redefining cost-effectiveness, resolution, and scalability in underwater surveying.
  6. Strategic Relevance in Undersea Cable Protection

    • As countries recognize the vulnerability of undersea infrastructure—ranging from data cables to oil and gas pipelines—Kraken Robotics stands out for its advanced sonar imaging and autonomous platforms.
    • The ability to map the seabed in high detail—and to do so efficiently over large areas—creates a deterrent effect (making it harder for saboteurs to go undetected) and enables rapid response to any incident.

Key Takeaways

  • Cutting-Edge Sonar & Robotics: Kraken Robotics has built a reputation around Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) and robust underwater vehicles, both essential to surveil and safeguard critical undersea assets.
  • Detection & Prevention: Their technology allows defense and commercial operators to identify threats, perform routine maintenance, and investigate incidents with unprecedented clarity and efficiency.
  • Global Demand: As geopolitical tensions and concerns about sub-sea sabotage grow, Kraken’s solutions continue to gain traction with navies, government agencies, and private consortia alike.

In sum, Kraken Robotics offers a full spectrum of tools—from advanced sonar sensors and autonomous vehicles to specialized analytics—that empower nations and industries to protect and monitor undersea cables, pipelines, and other maritime infrastructure!

Besides the Royal Canadian navy, Kraken has signed contracts with several other NATO Navies as well as infrastructure companies who lay and operate the cables and pipelines.

This technology addresses a rapidly rising need in modern security and commerce.


Ed Note:

Full disclosure: We bought Kraken Robotics shares today!

Update:


ST. JOHN’S, NEWFOUNDLAND, February 26, 2025 /GLOBE NEWSWIRE/ — Kraken Robotics Inc.(TSX-V: PNG, OTCQB: KRKNF) announces that it has received new orders totaling $34 million for SeaPower™ pressure tolerant batteries from three clients. In addition, Kraken has signed a lease to open a new battery production facility in Nova Scotia to meet rising defense market demand for uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs).

“With the emergence of new larger classes of UUVs and greater adoption of these platforms in naval fleets, reliable subsea power requirements are increasing,” said Greg Reid, President and CEO of Kraken Robotics. “These new orders illustrate the robust customer demand we have for Kraken’s SeaPower batteries across the U.S., Europe, and Asia Pacific.”

One order, totaling $31 million, represents Kraken’s largest battery order to date. The client, who cannot be named at this time, provides UUVs to the defense industry. Two commercial clients with UUVs also placed orders totaling $3 million

Further Update: June 24 2025

Did Desjardin just Release the Kraken? - Kraken Robotics Investment and Business Report (June 2025)