Robin Radar adds maritime capability

The development comes amid rising instability in global shipping corridors, including recent tensions in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, where drone activity has underscored vulnerabilities in critical trade routes.

Originally engineered for land vehicles travelling at speeds of up to 100km/h, IRIS OTM has been adapted for maritime use through software upgrades that mitigate sea clutter, vessel motion and coastal environmental interference. The maritime variant is designed to be mounted on ships and offshore platforms, where it can detect and classify drones operating at speeds of up to 54 knots.

Chief executive Siete Hamminga said the threat landscape has expanded significantly beyond land-based infrastructure.

“Shipping lanes, ports, harbours and offshore assets are now all exposed to low-cost aerial threats that can disrupt trade, damage infrastructure and threaten civilian safety,” he said.

Chief technical officer Vivien Croes said modern defence systems must prioritise adaptability.

“The future of counter-UAS is not static infrastructure. It is agile, mobile sensing systems capable of protecting people, critical infrastructure and global commerce wherever threats emerge,” he said.

Robin Radar said the system is built to maintain performance in harsh maritime conditions. The company noted that ‘salt-resistant engineering, resonance tolerance and EMC-compliant architecture’ ensure reliable operation in demanding environments.

Unlike traditional naval radar systems focused on large vessels or aircraft, IRIS is purpose-built for small drone detection and classification, including fast-moving, low-altitude threats close to the waterline.

The software-defined architecture has also been enhanced to filter heavy sea reflections, allowing operators to isolate small airborne targets in complex maritime environments. The company said this capability is increasingly important as drone tactics evolve across both commercial and military domains.