The Australian Government announced the decision to strengthen Australia’s maritime security with a $176 million investment to purchase other 40 new Australian-designed and built BLUEBOTTLE Uuncrewed Surface Vessels (USV). The new purchasing will make Australia one of the world’s largest sovereign USV fleets owner.

Thanks to the contract signed with Ocius Technology indeed, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) expands its USV operational fleet to 55 BLUEBOTTLEs, significantly improving long-range maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability across the two oceans vast maritime domain. The BLUEBOTTLE, developed in partnership with the RAN and initially funded through the Defence Innovation Hub, is a long-endurance USV powered by solar, wind and wave energy. The system is capable of delivering persistent surface and sub-surface surveillance, supporting multiple payloads for various missions, and functioning as part of an integrated maritime force. Rear Admiral Stephen Hughes, Head of Navy Capability, emphasized that these vessels can autonomously monitor designated areas for extended periods in the challenging and hazardous maritime conditions typical of Australian waters.

As stated by the Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Richard Marles, “the BLUEBOTTLE is an innovative platform designed, developed and manufactured in Australia” and “excellent example of Defence and industry working together to deliver cutting-edge capability.” This new contract will create additional defence industry related jobs in NSW, confirming the priority of Canberra’s government to invest in the “made in Australia.”

The reinforced Australian USVs fleet will have a decisive role on “monitoring country’s maritime approaches and strengthen Defence’s ability to protect the national security interests” according to the Australian Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy. The Australian Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ) is one of the largest of the world, with more than 8 million of square kilometres across two oceans, and an extention of additional 2,5 million of seabed beyond this limits as confirmed by the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) in April 2008.

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