Helsing, a German defense AI company, has announced the acquisition of Blue Ocean, an Australian developer of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The move is part of Helsing’s effort to broaden its defense technology portfolio and apply its AI systems to maritime operations.
Blue Ocean, founded in 2020, focuses on designing and deploying AUVs for underwater missions such as surveillance, mine detection, and anti-submarine operations. The company’s engineering team has developed platforms capable of operating in challenging underwater environments.
According to Helsing, the acquisition will see the integration of Blue Ocean’s hardware and manufacturing capabilities with Helsing’s AI, integrating Blue Ocean’s team and operations into Helsing.
Blue Ocean, known for its expertise in developing AUVs for complex underwater missions, brings a wealth of technical knowledge and operational experience to Helsing’s portfolio. These vehicles are designed for high-autonomy operations in contested environments, offering capabilities such as persistent surveillance, mine countermeasures, and undersea infrastructure monitoring.
The company will continue operating from its UK headquarters as a subsidiary of Helsing.
Land, air and sea domains
Helsing’s broader defense AI platform, already deployed across air and land domains, will now extend to the underwater battlespace. This integration is expected to enhance situational awareness, decision-making, and mission execution for naval forces.
Together, the two companies will accelerate the development and mass production of autonomous platforms “for the protection of the underwater battlespace” and provide allied nations with advanced technologies for maritime domain superiority.
The acquisition of Blue Ocean comes after the launch and successful testing of Helsing’s autonomous underwater glider, the SG-1 Fathom, at the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre (BUTEC) earlier this year. The company also announced earlier this year that it is building a new Resilience Factory in Plymouth, as part of a £350 million investment in the UK.
“By building sovereign capabilities across Europe and Australia, we can defend ourselves especially in the North Atlantic and in the maritime regions of the AUKUS partners,” read a statement by Helsing.
“The need for a smart autonomous mass-approach is clear, and together with Blue Ocean we can build an autonomous glider that provides a big leap forward to conduct underwater ISR for navies,” said Amelia Gould, General Manager, Maritime at Helsing, adding that “together we can offer customers a unique blend of domain expertise, rapid innovation and advanced technology.”
Shifting priorities
Helsing’s expansion into underwater systems is part of its strategy to support multi-domain defense operations across land, air, sea, and cyber. The company views the integration of AI and robotics as a way to improve responsiveness and coordination in complex scenarios. It’s previously worked with European armed forces to deliver AI-powered battlefield intelligence and decision-support tools. The addition of Blue Ocean’s technology is intended to extend these capabilities to the maritime domain.
Mike Deeks, Group Managing Director at Blue Ocean, said that the company’s AUV technology, paired with Helsing’s Edge AI, will “create a highly effective anti-submarine warfare and wide area surveillance capability. These are critical to completing the modern common operating picture and providing border and asset protection.”
The acquisition reflects a broader shift in defense strategy, where autonomy and software are increasingly central to operational effectiveness. Recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Red Sea have accelerated the adoption of unmanned maritime systems,
During the Russia-Ukraine war, Ukraine used USVs and drone swarms to damage and even destroy Russian ships both at port and at sea. The Houthis have also deployed UAVs and USVs with notable impact.
There is a growing recognition within the defense sector that underwater autonomy is critical to maintaining strategic advantage, particularly in regions where access and visibility are limited. Defense organizations are investing in new approaches to secure maritime environments, including technologies that can respond faster and operate with greater independence.