Swedish firm Nautrik unveils AI-controlled Riverine 4 maritime drone for defence and civilian use

Nautrik, a Swedish defence contractor, introduced the Riverine 4, a fully autonomous maritime drone weighing 850 kilograms and measuring four metres in length. The prototype was run at speed on the water off Lidingö, Stockholm, where it can be monitored and directed from a control boat. Oscar Fors, the founder and chief executive, explained that the system relies on artificial-intelligence algorithms and that multiple drones could be deployed together from ships or shore bases.

While the company stresses civilian uses such as pipeline surveillance and supply transport, it also envisions defence roles, including integration with weapon systems. Investors now include former Supreme Commander Micael Bydén and entertainer David Batra, and Nautrik acknowledges a backlog of orders that will exceed its production capacity in the near term. The firm’s primary aim is to enhance Sweden’s defence capabilities faster than traditional suppliers.