German defense technology company STARK has unveiled Vanta 24, a 24-meter uncrewed surface vessel (USV) designed for combat and maritime security operations in the Baltic Sea and wider Northern European waters.
As disclosed, the vessel is the largest member of STARK's Vanta family and is designed to operate alongside conventional naval vessels or independently. Its planned missions include escorting warships, monitoring suspicious shipping, protecting critical underwater infrastructure and conducting offensive operations.
According to STARK, the vessel has been engineered to operate in the Baltic Sea's challenging environmental conditions, including freezing temperatures, ice and short, steep waves. Its operational range will also extend to the North Sea, North Atlantic and High North.
Vanta 24 will feature a payload capacity of up to 50 tonnes and will be configured to carry anti-ship missiles, a 30 mm gun and long-range radar. The vessel is designed to reach speeds exceeding 35 knots and remain deployed in Northern European waters for weeks at a time without a crew aboard.
The USV's radar will enable it to detect and track threats in the air and at sea. STARK envisages using the vessel to monitor shadow fleet tankers, patrol critical underwater infrastructure and undertake persistent maritime surveillance missions that would otherwise require crewed warships. The company also sees Vanta 24 performing offensive missions, including operating ahead of carrier groups as an uncrewed forward defense platform.
Johannes Schaback, chief technology officer at STARK, said the vessel is intended to address the growing demand for scalable maritime autonomous systems as NATO navies face increasing pressure to protect European waters and critical infrastructure.
Vanta 24 is the third and largest vessel in STARK's Vanta family, which ranges from a 6-meter patrol boat to the approximately 24-meter combatant.
The three vessels can be controlled by a single operator using STARK's Minerva software, which is designed to connect with existing allied naval command systems.
The development comes amid increased NATO activity in the Baltic Sea following suspected damage to undersea cables and other critical infrastructure. NATO launched its Baltic Sentry mission in January 2025 to strengthen surveillance and protection of underwater infrastructure in the region.
STARK presents Vanta 24 as part of the emerging hybrid navy concept, in which uncrewed platforms operate alongside conventional warships to expand naval capabilities while reducing crew requirements.