Zelim, an Edinburgh-based maritime technology company, has officially launched a dedicated defence business unit to address the increasing demand from global armed forces for its advanced AI-powered safety, surveillance, and recovery technologies.
The move follows a year of rapid momentum, including technology demonstrations with leading NATO navies and defence primes. Zelim showcased its flagship solutions during NATO’s REPMUS exercise onboard a 122-meter frigate, presented capabilities to the US Navy in Newport, and engaged with a UK defence prime for their counter-unmanned surface vessel (C-USV) programme. The company has also participated in NATO’s DIANA innovation framework, reinforcing its operational relevance in the defence domain.
Consolidating Defence Capabilities Under One Structure
The newly formed defence division will consolidate all military-focused activities under one structure, allowing Zelim to adapt technologies to military requirements, respond quickly to procurement opportunities, and provide dedicated support to defence customers.
“Over the past 12 months, interest in our technology from defence stakeholders has grown dramatically,” said Sam Mayall, CEO of Zelim. “We’ve had direct approaches from Navies, invitations to participate in high-profile trials, and requests from prime contractors to collaborate. The defence business unit is our way of scaling up to meet demand from Navies around the world.”
Expanding the ZOE Product Suite
At the heart of Zelim’s growing portfolio is its flagship ZOE system, initially developed for man-overboard (MOB) detection. ZOE provides continuous, AI-powered surveillance of a vessel’s surrounding maritime environment.
The suite has now been expanded to include:
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ZOE Shield – 360-degree perimeter surveillance to detect USVs and other maritime threats, including passive detection in radar-denied environments.
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ZOE Lookout – Enhances situational awareness by identifying hazards in complex operational settings.
From Detection to Recovery Capabilities
Zelim’s defence division will also oversee military adaptations of its Swift recovery platform and Guardian unmanned vessel. Swift enables the recovery of personnel or mission-critical equipment in harsh maritime conditions, while Guardian supports autonomous recovery operations beyond line-of-sight.
“Defence customers want advanced solutions they can use now, not in five years,” said Andy Tipping, Business Development Director at Zelim. “With a dedicated, experienced defence team in place, we are ready to meet immediate requirements and support defence partners for the long term.”
Meeting the Shift in Defence Procurement
The launch comes amid a broader trend in defence procurement toward the rapid adoption of mature, commercially proven solutions. Navies worldwide are increasingly prioritizing technologies that can be integrated quickly, bypassing traditional, lengthy development cycles.
“This is about readiness on every front – technology, people, and processes,” Tipping added. “We are positioning Zelim as a trusted partner, able to deliver quickly and sustain defence customers for the future.”
CEO Mayall concluded: “The interest we’ve seen from the global defence sector is not speculative – it’s concrete, and it’s growing. This new division is our response: a fully resourced commitment to delivering maritime situational awareness and recovery capabilities wherever and whenever they are needed.”
Zelim at DSEI 2025
Zelim is showcasing its full defence portfolio at DSEI London 2025, located at Booth S10-134 in the Naval Zone.
