Australia to expand Bluebottle USV vessel fleet with $125m investment

The Australian government has announced an A$176m ($125m) contract with Ocius Technology for 40 additional domestically designed and manufactured Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).

The procurement will expand the Royal Australian Navy’s operational fleet to a total of 55 vessels.

The deal, announced on 11 March 2026, will enhance the nation’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) activities across its maritime domain.

Production of the new vessels will take place at Ocius’ advanced manufacturing site in Sydney, with support from a secondary facility in the New South Wales Hunter region.

The government expects the project to generate approximately 50 jobs at the Sydney location, while also providing new opportunities for small and medium-sized Australian businesses through an expanded domestic supply chain.

Australia Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said: “With this investment the Albanese Government is backing Aussie ingenuity while creating highly skilled, well-paid jobs for locals. We are investing right now to uplift our sovereign defence industry.”

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By GlobalData