CANBERRA — March 11, 2026 : The Australian Government has announced a $176 million investment to acquire 40 additional Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for the Royal Australian Navy, significantly expanding the country’s autonomous maritime surveillance capabilities. The contract has been awarded to Sydney-based maritime robotics company Ocius Technology and will increase the Navy’s operational Bluebottle fleet from 15 to 55 vessels, creating one of the world’s largest sovereign-operated fleets of autonomous surface vessels.
The procurement forms part of a five-year contract beginning in early 2026 and establishes a formal Program of Record for the Bluebottle capability within Australia’s defense structure. The program supports the maritime priorities outlined in the National Defence Strategy introduced by the government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said the Bluebottle fleet will provide persistent monitoring of Australia’s maritime approaches. According to Marles, the vessels will strengthen the country’s ability to protect national security interests while accelerating the integration of autonomous systems into naval operations.
Expansion of Australia’s Autonomous Maritime Fleet
The Bluebottle is an Australian-designed and manufactured autonomous surface vessel developed through collaboration between the Royal Australian Navy and Ocius Technology. Initial research and development for the platform was funded through the Defence Innovation Hub, a program designed to support emerging defense technologies developed by Australian industry.
With the acquisition of 40 new vessels, the Royal Australian Navy will expand its operational fleet to 55 Bluebottle USVs, significantly increasing the Navy’s ability to conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations across Australia’s vast maritime domain.
These autonomous platforms are intended to monitor large ocean areas for extended periods while operating alongside crewed naval vessels, aircraft, and other unmanned systems as part of a networked maritime force structure.
The vessels will be used primarily to monitor Australia’s northern maritime approaches, a region considered strategically important for national security and maritime border protection.
Vessel Design and Technical Capabilities
The Bluebottle USV is a long-endurance autonomous platform measuring approximately 6.8 meters in length, depending on the variant. The vessel uses a hybrid renewable energy system combining solar, wind, and wave power, allowing it to conduct long-duration missions with minimal logistical support.
This energy system enables the platform to operate for extended deployments with theoretically indefinite endurance under favorable environmental conditions.
The vessel can carry payloads weighing up to 300 kilograms, allowing it to support a range of mission packages and sensor configurations. Onboard systems can provide approximately 150 watts of electrical power for surveillance equipment and mission payloads.
Bluebottle USVs are capable of operating either fully autonomously or under remote supervision, and can be integrated into coordinated maritime operations with other naval assets.
The platform is designed to support multiple mission types including:
- Surface surveillance
- Sub-surface monitoring
- Maritime domain awareness
- Environmental monitoring
- Border security patrols
The vessels have already been deployed by the Royal Australian Navy in operational environments, including support for Operation Resolute, Australia’s maritime border protection mission. Operations have been conducted from facilities such as HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin, where Bluebottle vessels have been active since mid-2024.
Integration of Anti-Submarine Warfare Systems
The Bluebottle platform is also designed to support anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and undersea surveillance missions through the integration of advanced sonar payloads.
In 2022, Ocius Technology signed a teaming agreement with Thales Australia to develop scalable USV capabilities for maritime surveillance and ASW operations. The collaboration focuses on integrating the BlueSentry thin-line towed array sonar, a lightweight sonar system designed for unmanned platforms.
The operational potential of this integration was demonstrated during the Autonomous Warrior 2023 exercise, where Bluebottle vessels equipped with BlueSentry sonar systems conducted cooperative operations with unmanned surface vessel units to track and isolate a submarine simulator.
During the demonstration, the vessels successfully detected and tracked a Saab AUV62 submarine training target, validating the platform’s capability to perform complex undersea warfare tasks.
Although the Australian government has not officially confirmed the sonar systems that will be installed on the newly procured fleet, defense analysts consider the BlueSentry system to be the most likely configuration.
Strategic Context and Government Objectives
The acquisition aligns with Australia’s broader defense strategy to strengthen maritime surveillance and improve situational awareness across its extensive ocean territory.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy stated that the Bluebottle fleet will enhance monitoring of Australia’s northern approaches at a time when maritime activity and regional security challenges are increasing.
According to Conroy, the accelerated development and deployment of autonomous systems will be a key component of Australia’s future defense posture, particularly as naval forces adapt to evolving technological and geopolitical conditions.
Economic and Industrial Impact
In addition to strengthening defense capabilities, the program is expected to generate economic benefits for Australia’s domestic defense industry.
The $176 million contract will support 50 new jobs at Ocius Technology’s advanced manufacturing facility in Sydney. Production will also be supported by a secondary manufacturing site in the Hunter region of New South Wales, expanding the local industrial base involved in autonomous maritime technologies.
The government stated that the program will involve Australian supply-chain partners and small-to-medium enterprises, providing additional industrial opportunities as production of the vessels increases.
International Interest in the Bluebottle Platform
The Bluebottle USV has also attracted international attention, with the platform exported to allied partners including the United States and used in operations with the Royal New Zealand Navy.
The Australian Government views the program as an example of sovereign defense innovation, combining domestic manufacturing, renewable-powered autonomous technology, and naval operational requirements.
With the expanded fleet scheduled for delivery over the next five years, the Bluebottle program will play an increasing role in Australia’s maritime surveillance architecture and the Royal Australian Navy’s integration of unmanned systems into future naval operations.
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