Helsing Acquires Blue Ocean to Expand Maritime Defence Programme

Maritime Defence & Autonomous Systems Helsing acquires Blue Ocean to expand maritime defence programme

2025-10-08 From Helsing press release 2 min Reading Time

European defence technology leader Helsing has announced the planned acquisition of Blue Ocean, an Australian specialist in autonomous underwater systems. The move will integrate Blue Ocean’s advanced hardware and production capabilities with Helsing’s artificial intelligence expertise, significantly expanding the company’s maritime defence operations.

Helsing expands its maritime operations with the planned acquisition of Australian AUV specialist Blue Ocean, combining AI expertise with undersea technology for Europe and AUKUS.(Source: Helsing AI) — Helsing expands its maritime operations with the planned acquisition of Australian AUV specialist Blue Ocean, combining AI expertise with undersea technology for Europe and AUKUS.
(Source: Helsing AI)

Blue Ocean, headquartered in Bibra Lake, Australia, designs, develops and operates autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). Following completion of the acquisition, the Blue Ocean team and all operations will be fully integrated into Helsing, while maintaining existing sites in the United Kingdom and Australia.

The acquisition aims to accelerate the development and large-scale production of autonomous platforms for undersea surveillance and protection, strengthening defence capabilities in the North Atlantic and across maritime regions of the AUKUS partnership. By combining sovereign capabilities in Europe and Australia, Helsing and Blue Ocean will provide democratic partners with a technological edge in undersea warfare.

This strategic step follows a series of recent milestones in Helsing’s maritime expansion. Earlier this year, the company unveiled its autonomous underwater glider SG-1 Fathom, successfully tested in July at the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre (BUTEC). Just four months ago, Helsing announced a £350 million investment in a new Resilience Factory in Plymouth, United Kingdom.

“The need for an intelligent, autonomous, mass-scale approach at sea is clear,” said Amelia Gould, General Manager Maritime at Helsing. “By joining forces with Blue Ocean, we can accelerate the development of autonomous gliders for underwater reconnaissance and surveillance. Blue Ocean has been a key partner for us over the past year, and this merger is the logical next step as we strengthen our maritime portfolio for Europe and AUKUS partners.”

Mike Deeks, Managing Director of Blue Ocean Group, added: “From our first meeting, we have built a strong working relationship with Helsing. By combining our AUV technology with Helsing’s advanced AI data processing, we are creating effective capabilities for anti-submarine warfare and wide-area surveillance—both essential for a modern, shared maritime picture and for protecting borders and critical infrastructure.”

The transaction will be executed through a Scheme of Arrangement under Australian law and remains subject to court and government approval.

Helsing presents the full-scale design study of its CA-1 Europa autonomous combat aircraft at Grob Aircraft in Bavaria, marking a milestone in Europe’s quest for AI-driven air combat capabilities. (Source: Helsing AI)

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