Ocius Technology awarded $176 million contract to mass-produce Bluebottle USVs

Defence will acquire 40 Australian-designed and built Bluebottle Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USV) under a $176 million, five-year contract to enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s undersea warfare capabilities.

The funding, announced by Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, enables designer and manufacturer Ocius Technology to deliver the Bluebottle USVs from early 2026. This adds to the 15 Bluebottles already delivered to the Navy – the majority of which are already at sea supporting Operation Resolute by providing maritime surveillance in Australia’s northern approaches.

“Ocius Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels will provide the Australian Defence Force with flexible, persistent and capable long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance,” said RADM Stephen Hughes AM, CSC, Head of Navy Capability.

“The Bluebottle provides operational advantage and flexibility, being able to carry multiple modular payloads for multiple missions. These vessels can autonomously monitor designated areas for lengths of time in dangerous and harsh maritime conditions.

“The Ocius contract represents a significant step forward in the acquisition of uncrewed systems for the Royal Australian Navy and it highlights how innovative partnerships deliver results for Navy capability.”

“For more than two decades, we have invested in building a world-class product and manufacturing capability right here in Australia,” said Robert Dane, CEO of Ocius Technology. “The ability to operate a large, integrated fleet of low-cost uncrewed surface vessels is a strategic advantage for a nation surrounded by ocean. Australia is recognised globally for its advanced maritime technologies, demonstrated through our patented innovations, including our renewable energy system and winch-in-keel design.

‘These Bluebottles are like ‘satellites of the sea’,” he added, “delivering ISR capabilities that keep constant watch over and under our oceans at disruptively low cost. This contract represents a major milestone for the company and for Australia’s sovereign maritime technology sector.”

Under the contract, the RAN’s expanded Bluebottle Fleet will be manufactured at Ocius’ new, state-of-the-art facility in Sydney. Production is supported by an additional facility in the NSW Hunter region and a strong Australian supply chain. This landmark agreement represents one of the largest-ever global acquisition contracts for USVs, the company says.

The procurement follows successful contracts with the Australian Government supporting the Australian Border Force, where Ocius Bluebottles are deployed to provide 24/7 persistent maritime Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) for surface threat detection.

The Bluebottle is a groundbreaking Australian-designed USV powered by solar, wind and wave energy enabling long-endurance operations while maintaining an acoustically quiet environment for superior underwater surveillance. The Bluebottle’s patented design allows it to operate across Australia’s vast maritime domain while carrying sophisticated payloads, providing continuous low-observable surface and subsurface ISR capability. Bluebottle USVs work in a teamed environment with other undersea and surface assets, creating an interoperable suite of capabilities for an integrated force.

The new Fleet will significantly enhance Australia’s ability to monitor and protect its maritime borders, delivering a cost-effective, persistent and sovereign capability for a nation responsible for one of the world’s largest maritime areas.