Operation Resolute
Ocius has been operating Bluebottles since 2024 as part of Operation Resolute of the Australian Defence Force, protecting Australia’s borders and offshore maritime interests. These Bluebottles have been operating 24/7 from a facility on base at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin
The Bluebottle uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) supporting Operation Resolute are Navy Registered Vessels, the first USVs globally to be granted this designation.
Built for continuous operations, Bluebottles have been operated and validated in sustained real-world missions, not just trials.
Program of Record for Persistent Surface and Sub-Surface Surveillance
Australia’s Department of Defence is investing $176 million to acquire a fleet of Bluebottles in a five-year Program of Record to enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s undersea warfare capabilities.
This landmark agreement represents one of the largest-ever global acquisition contracts for uncrewed surface vessels.
Bluebottles will provide persistent, long-range surface and sub-surface intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to protect Australia from increasing maritime security threats.
The Navy’s expanded Bluebottle Fleet will be manufactured at Ocius’ new, state-of-the-art facility in Sydney, strengthening Australia’s sovereign capability in advanced maritime defence technologies.
Minister for Defence Industry The Hon. Pat Conroy MP"Just as when you see at one of our beaches a bluebottle jellyfish, that's a signal to get out of the ocean. I want potential adversaries to realise when they see one of these [an Ocius Bluebottle USV], it's a signal to get out of our ocean. I think that's a really important message about the way we're equipping the Australian Defence Force to help defend Australia and deter potential adversaries."
At the Program of Record contract announcement on 11 March 2026
