CMMI partners with German firm to develop USVs for defense missions

German-based maritime defence solutions provider FLANQ and the Cyprus Marine and  Maritime Institute (CMMI), a research and innovation center for the blue economy, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development and deployment of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for maritime security and defence missions across the Mediterranean.

As informed, the cooperation will focus on enhancing operational readiness in contested waters through advanced autonomous technologies.

The partners will explore joint solutions that leverage FLANQ’s autonomous surface platforms and CMMI’s maritime research expertise to deliver next-generation mission capabilities in Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), critical national infrastructure (CNI) protection, environmental monitoring, and precision strike.

At the heart of this MoU is a shared commitment to accelerating the transition of autonomous surface vessel concepts into operational reality, tailored to the unique challenges of the Mediterranean theatre.

Through joint research, trials, and system integration, FLANQ and CMMI plan to drive innovations that “ensure persistent, scalable, and mission-adaptable maritime security solutions”.

“The Mediterranean remains one of the most dynamic and strategically vital regions in the world. By joining forces with CMMI, we can deliver autonomous maritime capabilities that combine scientific excellence with operational agility—strengthening security, resilience, and situational awareness for Cyprus and her regional partners,” Daniel Esser, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer at FLANQ, said.

“This MoU represents a significant milestone for CMMI and for Cyprus. Partnering with FLANQ allows us to bridge cutting-edge maritime science with real-world defence applications, supporting both regional stability and sustainable ocean stewardship,” Zacharias Siokouros, CMMI’s Chief Executive Officer added.