Defence technology company Helsing has announced a major new partnership with three leaders in maritime robotics and autonomy. The alliance brings together Helsing, Blue Ocean Marine Tech Systems, Ocean Infinity, and QinetiQ to tackle growing underwater threats facing allied nations.
The new group combines Helsing’s AI defence technology with Blue Ocean’s dual-use autonomous platforms, Ocean Infinity’s remote maritime operations, and QinetiQ’s expertise in secure data integration. Together, they aim to strengthen intelligence, surveillance, and underwater security efforts across European seas.
The collaboration follows a series of underwater incidents that exposed gaps in critical undersea infrastructure protection. Navies across Europe are now racing to adopt digital solutions to improve Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), intelligence gathering, and the safeguarding of deepwater assets.
Helsing’s General Manager for Maritime, Amelia Gould, said the growing underwater threat requires immediate action.
“We have some of the world’s best technical talent in the UK, and it’s time we take their achievements to sea,” she said. “Blue Ocean, Ocean Infinity, and QinetiQ are like-minded companies, and we are proud to partner with them to advance our mission.”
Each partner brings critical strengths. Blue Ocean will provide autonomous underwater vehicles capable of positioning Helsing’s AI tools exactly where they are needed. Ocean Infinity will offer experience in remote-controlled robotics across some of the most difficult maritime environments. QinetiQ will deliver data architecture and integration solutions to make sure deployed systems are secure and reliable.
The goal is fast deployment. Helsing and its partners aim to get scalable, AI-powered autonomous systems operating in European waters within the year. Their focus will be on providing affordable, rapidly expandable tools that can strengthen deterrence against underwater threats without requiring massive new investments in traditional naval platforms.
Mike Deeks, Group Managing Director at Blue Ocean, said the partnership “positions Helsing’s edge AI in the optimal locations to detect and localise threats to our allies’ strategic interests.”
Joe Robinson, President of Technology and Digital at Ocean Infinity, added that their proven experience operating uncrewed vehicles at scale “offers ready-to-go solutions for ISR, ASW, and CUI missions.”
Simon Cooper, Sector Business Development Director at QinetiQ, said his company will focus on delivering “trusted and scalable solutions” to allied navies through secure data handling and system integration.
Helsing was founded to apply artificial intelligence to the defence of democratic societies. The company works closely with governments and industrial partners across Europe. This new maritime alliance reflects a shift toward using AI and autonomy to reinforce resilience at sea — a critical front in future conflict scenarios.
As threats continue to evolve below the surface, Europe’s technological edge could soon depend on what happens in partnerships like this one.
