In 2023, Ukraine’s 36th Marine Brigade turned to Protect Ukraine for a safer way to transport supplies and evacuate wounded soldiers across the Dnipro River.
During fighting in Krynky, on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River near Kherson, marines came under constant fire while crossing open water. More than 30 boats were lost.
They needed a safer way to resupply troops, evacuate wounded soldiers and carry out other high-risk missions, ideally using a quiet, unmanned boat capable of operating at night.
Led by mechanical engineer Martijn Otten, named Engineer of the Year 2026, a team of engineers from Delft developed the GB2, later renamed the Riverwhale.
Otten travelled to Ukraine several times to test the aquadrone alongside elite units and refine its design.
To increase speed, the original quiet electric propulsion system was replaced with a petrol engine. The boat is also equipped with night-vision technology and GPS navigation.
The Riverwhale helps deliver essential supplies and evacuate the wounded without putting more lives at risk.