Australia has announced the purchase of 40 uncrewed surface vessels Bluebottle USV to expand the maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities of the Royal Australian Navy.
The $176 million investment is part of the government’s strategy to strengthen security across the country’s vast maritime areas.
The contract was signed with the Australian company Ocius Technology and will increase the operational fleet of these vessels to 55 units. The vehicles are capable of conducting long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, enabling constant monitoring of Australia’s strategic sea routes.
Designed in partnership with the navy, the Bluebottle is a long-endurance autonomous vehicle powered by solar energy, wind and ocean waves. The platform can carry sensors and other equipment and can also operate integrated with crewed naval forces to monitor both the sea surface and the underwater environment.
The technology is also expected to boost Australia’s defense industry. Production of the new vessels will create jobs in industrial facilities in Sydney and the Hunter region, while recent tests demonstrated the integration of the system with towed sonars, possibly from Thales Australia, aimed at detecting and tracking submarines.
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Source: Naval News | Photo: X @DefenceAust | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
🚢Indo Pacific Day 3 – Ocius to demonstrate Bluebottle USV live on the water at Cockle Bay.
Demo times today:
• 10:30 – 11:30
• 13:30 – 14:30
Don’t miss it! pic.twitter.com/5gxNvIEY7K— Ocius Technology (@OciusTechnology) November 5, 2025
