Australia is ramping up its uncrewed surface fleet as Sea Archer lines up for key requirement
A Bluebottle from Ocius Technologies sails around Darling Harbour in Sydney. Australia’s navy has 15 Bluebottles, with 40 more coming. (Photo: author)
As advances in uncrewed technology increasingly shape Australia’s maritime future, Shephard spoke with the country’s head of navy capability and a Leidos Australia executive about the operational advantages behind the shift.
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will soon field one of the world’s largest fleets of uncrewed surface vessels (USV), with Bluebottle vessels from Ocius Technologies leading the charge. Other companies, meanwhile, are positioning USVs for pending Australian requirements.
On 11 March, Canberra announced investment of A$176 million (US$138 million) in 40 long-range Bluebottles, bringing the RAN’s fleet to 55.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy remarked: “With this world-leading technology, we’re able to increase surveillance of Australia’s northern approaches and respond to increasing maritime threats.”
As of September 2025, Bluebottles had cumulatively sailed 145,828nm, and their average mission duration is
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