Saab UK is celebrating 40 years of Seaeye, marking four decades of innovation in subsea robotics and engineering that have helped improve safety and performance in underwater operations around the world.
Founded in 1986, Seaeye was established to address the challenges and risks associated with deep-water offshore operations. The company pioneered the development of electric remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), reducing the need for human intervention in hazardous subsea environments and helping operators carry out complex underwater tasks more safely.
The safety-focused ethos that shaped Seaeye’s early years has remained at the heart of the business and was further strengthened when the company became part of Saab in 2007. Since joining the global defence and security group, Seaeye has benefited from long-term investment and expanded its reach across both commercial and defence markets.
Operating from Saab UK’s campus in Fareham, Seaeye now produces what it describes as the world’s largest range of electric ROVs from a single manufacturer. More than 1,100 systems have been delivered to customers across 74 countries, supporting operations in 13 industries including offshore energy, critical undersea infrastructure and marine science.
Over the past four decades, Seaeye’s technology has been deployed in a wide variety of challenging environments. Its vehicles have assisted the Colombian Navy in surveying a long-lost 18th-century shipwreck and have been used to inspect underwater energy infrastructure in crocodile-infested waters in Indonesia.
Andy Fraser, Group Managing Director at Saab UK, said the company’s longevity reflected its commitment to solving real-world operational challenges while prioritising safety.
“Seaeye’s 40-year history reflects a consistent commitment to practical innovation driven by the need to keep people safe below the surface. That achievement is rooted in the expertise, dedication and ingenuity of the people behind the technology, whose focus on real operational challenges continues to deliver trusted capability for customers around the world.”
Jon Robertson, Seaeye Managing Director at Saab UK, said the milestone was an opportunity to recognise the people and partnerships that have supported the company’s growth.
“Our 40th anniversary is a celebration of the people and partnerships that have defined our success. Through innovation, dedication and collaboration, our employees, customers and suppliers have helped us grow, adapt and lead. Thank you for being part of our journey – we look forward to shaping the future together.”
As demand grows for advanced subsea technologies to support offshore energy, defence and critical infrastructure projects, Saab UK said Seaeye remains focused on developing the next generation of robotic systems to meet evolving operational requirements.
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