Ine Eriksen Søreide (Conservative Party), Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, Mari Holm Lønseth (Conservative Party), Member of Parliament and member of the Standing Committee on Justice, Henrik Kierulf (Conservative Party), parliamentary candidate, and Ingvill Dalseg (Conservative Party), Chair of the Committee for Business and Industry in Trøndelag County Council and parliamentary candidate, visited Maritime Robotics in Trondheim to see a live demonstration of the Gjallarhorn project.
Gjallarhorn is a collaborative initiative between several Norwegian technology companies, developed to provide the Armed Forces and emergency preparedness agencies with enhanced situational awareness in coastal areas. The solution combines autonomous surface vessels, underwater inspection, and advanced data analytics to detect, identify, and monitor potential threats to critical infrastructure.
- The technology enables the collection of real-time data both above and below the surface, with automated analysis and user-friendly visualization for decision-makers. The project is a prime example of dual-use technology designed for civilian applications, but with strong relevance for defense and security, says Eirik Hovstein in Maritime Robotics.
The delegation was hosted by Eirik Hovstein, Vice President Defence & Security at Maritime Robotics, who presented the company’s autonomous surface vessels and explained how they enable surveillance and patrolling without the need for onboard crew.
Ebbe Deraas, Cluster Manager at NORDSEC Defence and Security Cluster, outlined how the cluster connects the defense sector with technology companies.
Trond Larsen and Oda Ryggen from Blueye Robotics demonstrated the company’s underwater drones, used for infrastructure and object inspections beneath the surface.
Tore Norheim Hagtun from Clarify showcased the company’s software for data collection, visualization, and analysis, enabling rapid interpretation of large volumes of sensor data.
The visit gave the parliamentarians and candidates insight into how Norwegian technology companies collaborate to develop solutions that can protect critical infrastructure and strengthen national preparedness.
The Gjallarhorn project highlights how partnerships between innovative SMEs and the defense sector can deliver new capabilities that are rapidly deployed to meet an evolving threat landscape.
“I’m glad to bring Ine to the technological heart of Trøndelag,” says Ingvill Dalseg. “What we were shown in the harbor basin was not only impressive — it was a glimpse into the future of defense.
When three innovative companies, Maritime Robotics, BluEye Robotics, and Clarify, demonstrate their solutions together, we see the strength of Norwegian defense industry. These are not just individual companies, but an ecosystem where the NORDSEC cluster connects expertise into something greater than the sum of its parts. That makes me proud!” she says.
“It is both important and encouraging that political leaders in Norway take the time to visit the actors working to develop relevant dual-use technology. This gives them a valuable opportunity to understand both the opportunities SMEs provide and the challenges they face,” says NORDSEC cluster manager Ebbe Deraas.
Maritime Robotics, Blueye Robotics, and Clarify are members of both NORDSEC and the Ocean Autonomy Cluster, and key contributors to the Gjallarhorn project.