The press event was about more than just its unusual silhouette: the Vanta 12 is a twelve-metre-long unmanned surface vessel developed by Stark for maritime reconnaissance and surveillance. The AI-powered software platform Minerva is designed to enable the vessel to autonomously monitor maritime areas and detect potential threats. According to the manufacturer, it can also carry weapons, depending on its configuration. In Flensburg, Stark also promoted a partnership with Flensburger Shipyard (FSG) as a potential production site.
Reconnaissance and armament
Stark describes the Vanta 12 as an unmanned surface vehicle, or USV for short. Its Minerva software platform is designed to enable control and operation in conjunction with other systems. The manufacturer lists cameras, thermal imaging technology and radar as reconnaissance systems. According to Stark’s product details Its range is around 1,200 nautical miles at ten knots; its payload can be up to two tonnes.
Stark is a German defence contractor headquartered in Berlin. It develops unmanned military systems for operations on land, in the air and at sea. As well as in Germany, it has sites in Ukraine and the United Kingdom, amongst other places.
The company cites ten Cascade missiles – so-called loitering munitions, which can search for a target after launch – as well as four Sea-Venom guided missiles for maritime targets as possible armaments. Stark states that Cascade has already been launched from the Vanta 12. In the The REPMUS exercise in September 2026 off the Portuguese coast According to the company, the boat was equipped with both manned and unmanned systems; Cascade was launched there, whilst the deployment of Sea Venom was merely simulated.
Inspection at sea
According to a report, the Vanta 12 can NDR report on the screening operate remotely or carry out pre-programmed missions autonomously. Stark’s director, Max Berger, said at the presentation in Flensburg that humans would monitor the vehicle at all times and decide on the possible use of weapons. If the satellite connection is lost, the boat is designed to stop and give way to other traffic. It was not possible to assess from the press briefing whether these functions would operate reliably in heavy traffic or in conditions of poor visibility.
Construction in Flensburg remains on hold
Stark and Flensburger Shipyard (FSG) intend to build up production capacity for the Vanta range. The company describes the collaboration as the basis for a production programme that could be scaled up as demand rises. However, this does not mean that series production will commence: according to NDR report of 7 October At that point, no orders had yet been placed for the Vanta 12. According to Stark, no further test runs are currently planned on the Flensburg Fjord.
Technical specifications according to Stark
| Characteristic | Information |
| Length × Width | approx. 12 × 4 m |
| Range | approx. 1,200 sm at 10 kn |
| Payload | up to 2,000 kg |
| Maximum speed | up to 40 kn |
| Weight | 13.7 t according to the product page |
| Planned armament | up to 10 Cascade and 4 Sea Venom, according to the press release |
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Hauke Schmidt
Test & Technology editor
