The Munich-based defense startup Helsing is merging with its partner Blue Ocean. This will expand the company's expertise in maritime technologies. Blue Ocean is an Australian marine technology specialist based in Bibra Lake. The company develops and operates autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and has locations in the UK and Australia. Helsing aims to combine Blue Ocean's hardware and production expertise with its own artificial intelligence. The entire team and existing locations will be retained and integrated into Helsing's corporate structure.
Integration of AI and underwater technology
The aim of the acquisition is to accelerate the development and series production of autonomous systems for underwater protection. This will provide democratic partner states with a technological edge in the maritime domain in the future. Helsing and Blue Ocean plan to strengthen defense capabilities in the North Atlantic and the maritime regions of the European Union by combining European and Australian capabilities. AUKUS Alliance to strengthen.
The transaction is part of Helsing’s strategic expansion into AI-driven defense systems. The company recently Startup with Arx Robotics to develop "an AI-based reconnaissance and joint action system for European defense." Helsing previously unveiled its own maritime platform, the SG-1 Fathom autonomous underwater glider. The prototype was successfully tested on a military test site in July. Just a few months earlier, Helsing announced a £350 million investment in the construction of a new "Resilience Factory" in Plymouth, England, to create manufacturing and testing capabilities for autonomous systems.
Developing maritime capabilities in Europe and Australia
Amelia Gould, General Manager Maritime at Helsing, emphasizes:
"The need for an intelligent, autonomous mass deployment approach is clear. Together with Blue Ocean, we can build autonomous gliders that represent a major leap forward in underwater reconnaissance and surveillance. Blue Ocean has been an important partner for us over the past twelve months. As we aim to significantly strengthen our maritime offering for Europe and the AUKUS partners, the merger is a logical next step. Together, we offer our customers a unique combination of expertise, rapid innovation, and cutting-edge technology."
Also Mike Deeks, Group Managing Director of Blue Ocean, sees the merger as a logical further development:
"We are combining our autonomous underwater vehicle technology with Helsing's impressive AI processing to create effective anti-submarine warfare and large-area surveillance capabilities. These are critical for a modern, shared situational awareness and for protecting borders and critical assets."
The acquisition will be carried out under Australian law as part of a Scheme of Arrangement. The transaction is subject to approval by the relevant court and the Australian government.
