Deal combines Helsing’s AI with Blue Ocean’s hardware to scale maritime autonomy.
Helsing, the German defence technology company known for its AI defence systems, has agreed to acquire Blue Ocean, a UK–Australian firm that designs, develops, and operates autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The acquisition integrates Blue Ocean’s manufacturing capability into Helsing’s maritime defence programme.
Blue Ocean’s operations in the UK and Australia will be absorbed, with its engineering team joining Helsing. Manufacturing capabilities will merge with Helsing’s artificial-intelligence architecture.
The acquisition reflects a broader push by European defence tech firms to combine AI and autonomy in undersea warfare. Helsing has already tested its SG-1 Fathom glider at the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre (BUTEC) and sees this acquisition as a way to accelerate production of autonomous underwater systems.
Scaling Helsing’s maritime operations
The move builds on Helsing’s earlier 2025 maritime partnerships — notably with Blue Ocean, Ocean Infinity, and QinetiQ — aimed at deploying scalable, sovereign underwater ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) capabilities for NATO and allied navies.
Amelia Gould, General Manager for Maritime at Helsing, said: “The need for a smart autonomous mass-approach is clear … together with Blue Ocean we can build an autonomous glider that provides a big leap forward to conduct underwater ISR for navies.”
Mike Deeks, Group Managing Director at Blue Ocean, added:”Since first meeting Helsing … we have forged a strong working relationship … creating a highly effective anti-submarine warfare and wide-area surveillance capability.”
Helsing announced the deal via a members’ scheme of arrangement under Australian law. It remains subject to court, shareholder, and regulatory approvals.
The acquisition aligns with Helsing’s broader industrial ambitions. The company is building a “Resilience Factory” in Plymouth, UK, as part of a £350 million investment to scale production of its autonomous systems.
If completed, the acquisition will significantly deepen Helsing’s underwater systems capability by combining proven AUV hardware with mature AI. It may also accelerate deployment of fleets of low-signature, edge-AI–enabled gliders for allied navies — though the pace of integration will depend on regulatory approval and mass-production scale-up.