Irish-headquartered Ubotica stresses the vital importance that space data through AI-powered observation satellites can play in Ireland’s future maritime security.
- Space intelligence can cover enormous areas identifying covert or dark vessels involved in nefarious activities in Irish waters.
- AI-enabled satellites identify potential threats in real-time and deliver critical insights back to Earth within minutes.
- The latest National Risk Assessment for Ireland identified ‘Damage to Critical Undersea Infrastructure’ as one of the country’s strategic risks.
- “Using real-time data from space could transform the way Ireland’s Navy monitors and protects our expansive waters”: Sean Mitchell, Chairman and CCO of Ubotica.
As Ireland’s maritime security concerns increase, using real-time data from space through observation satellites needs to be considered as an integral part in the country’s long-term naval defence strategy, according to Sean Mitchell, Chairman and CCO of Ubotica, a global pioneer in AI-enabled satellite technology, based out of Dublin.
The latest National Risk Assessment for Ireland identified ‘Damage to Critical Undersea Infrastructure’ as one of the country’s strategic risks. As Ireland faces increasing geopolitical challenges, the conversation around its national security capabilities has increased. Three quarters of all cables in the northern hemisphere pass through or near Irish waters, mostly off the southwest coast, making those Irish seas a critical nexus in global communications and commerce.
Just last week, a Russian spy ship was observed operating in Irish-controlled waters, raising fears the ship was conducting surveillance of critical subsea infrastructure.
“With Ireland responsible for a maritime area far greater than its landmass, traditional surveillance methods are challenged by limited resources and vast coverage demands. Using real-time data from space could transform the way Ireland’s Navy monitors and protects Ireland’s expansive waters,” said Mitchell.
Ubotica’s AI-enabled satellites provide a solution by processing Earth observation data directly in space onboard satellites, using AI to identify potential threats in real-time and delivering critical insights to ground within minutes.
“Ireland’s vast maritime zones are difficult to monitor effectively, and the Navy needs every possible tool to safeguard our waters,” said Mitchell.
“Space data is ideal for this, as it can cover enormous areas, identifying dark vessels involved in nefarious activities like drug trafficking, for example. With AI-equipped satellites, Ireland’s Navy could be alerted within minutes to high-risk activity,” he said.
Today’s Earth Observation processes are slow and costly, with images transmitted to Earth for analysis, often resulting in delays of days. Ubotica’s technology revolutionises this model by enabling satellites to analyse data at the source, bypassing the need for large data centres, reducing costs and delivering insights in near real-time. This ensures that Irish naval forces receive timely, actionable intelligence, essential for responding to immediate threats.
“With real-time space data, Ireland can gain a strategic advantage in maritime security, responding to threats as they occur rather than days later. Space data must be part of our defence strategy, enabling the Navy to detect and address threats faster and more effectively,” ” said Mitchell.
“As Ireland’s maritime security needs grow, Ubotica’s groundbreaking AI satellites offer an opportunity to build a modern, data-driven naval defence strategy, positioning space data as a vital resource for safeguarding the nation’s waters and assets,” he said.