How Defence Needs Are Shaping Maritime Technology

ACUA Ocean's Multi-Role Offshore Support (MROS) uncrewed surface vessel

Modern naval and security operations demand technologies that can operate for long periods without human presence, remain resilient in harsh and contested environments, reduce logistical dependency, and deliver persistent situational awareness across vast ocean spaces. These pressures are driving defence organisations toward autonomous, modular, energy-efficient, low-signature and increasingly electrified systems.

As a result, defence is becoming a proving ground where next-generation maritime technologies are validated, de-risked and scaled before entering wider commercial markets.

Our Blue Action Accelerator partner Founders Factory explores these industry dynamics through startups backed by our Blue Action Accelerator; from ACUA Ocean’s hybrid-electric uncrewed MROS vessel designed as a modular host platform, to Dolphin Labs Ocean’s wave-powered xNodes enabling persistent offshore sensing, and DRIFT Energy Ltd’s net-positive ships.