Bluebottles have been in-service with the Royal New Zealand Navy since 2024 and are used to combat transnational and organised crime.
The Royal New Zealand Navy operates Bluebottles in environments that differ from others. Operating in these unique environments provides a valuable opportunity to gather critical operational data in conditions that are otherwise challenging to access, helping to broaden understanding of platform performance across diverse and demanding maritime environments.
New Zealand Customs Deputy Chief Executive Operations“These vessels enable Defence and Customs to monitor in real time. This live intelligence strengthens our ability to better understand situations and enforcement requirements and enable faster decision-making. This allows Customs, Defence and our agency partners to respond more effectively.”
Organised crime groups exploit the Pacific to smuggle drugs to New Zealand, and the additional capability provided by Bluebottles helps to counter that threat and protect New Zealand’s coastline.
