Australia is preparing to significantly expand its fleet of Bluebottle unmanned surface vessels, with plans to acquire forty additional units to enhance maritime surveillance and border security across the country’s vast ocean territory.

The Bluebottle vessels, developed by Sydney-based maritime robotics company Ocius Technology, are autonomous surface craft designed to conduct long-duration monitoring missions at sea.

Powered primarily by renewable energy sources including solar, wind, and wave power, the vessels are capable of remaining on station for extended periods without the need for fuel or onboard crews.

Australian authorities intend to deploy the new vessels to strengthen maritime domain awareness across the nation’s waters, which cover roughly ten percent of the world’s ocean surface and include nearly sixty thousand kilometres of coastline.

Monitoring such an immense area presents a significant operational challenge for traditional naval and patrol assets.

Officials say the expanded fleet will support missions including border protection, detection of illegal fishing activity, and surveillance of marine protected areas.

The vessels can also be equipped with advanced sensors, radar, and electro-optical systems capable of identifying and tracking vessels across large distances.

Bluebottle systems have already been used in operations conducted by Australia’s Maritime Border Command and the Royal Australian Navy.

Earlier deployments demonstrated the platform’s ability to operate continuously for weeks or months while transmitting real-time data to command centres ashore.

Defence planners view the vessels as a force multiplier that can maintain persistent surveillance in remote waters while freeing conventional ships and aircraft for more complex tasks.

The technology also reduces operational risk by performing monitoring missions without placing personnel in potentially hazardous conditions.

The Royal Australian Navy currently operates a smaller fleet of Bluebottle vessels from bases in northern Australia, where they patrol key maritime approaches and support broader security operations.

Trials have also explored the use of the platform for underwater surveillance missions, including the deployment of passive sonar systems designed to detect submarines.

The expanded procurement reflects a broader shift toward autonomous maritime technologies within Australia’s defence strategy.

Alongside underwater drones and advanced sensor networks, unmanned surface vessels are expected to play an increasingly prominent role in monitoring remote ocean regions and safeguarding national maritime interests.