In context
In mid-2025, maritime security and domain awareness were becoming critical priorities for coastal nations, with uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) emerging as a cost-effective and persistent solution for surveillance and patrol. Ocean Infinity, a marine robotics company with a track record of operating USVs since 2019, was expanding its commercial and governmental footprint, making this launch a notable step in the adoption of autonomous maritime systems for national security applications.
What was reported
Ocean Infinity successfully launched its NeedleFish USV at an official event with the Kuwaiti Coast Guard (KCG), as part of Kuwait's new national integrated maritime surveillance system delivered by SRT Marine Systems. The NeedleFish is a custom-equipped, 14-metre dual-hull unmanned vessel featuring specialist maritime surveillance sensors and Ocean Infinity's software and robotics technology.
The vessel enables the KCG to deploy unmanned patrol, surveillance, mapping, and surveying capabilities across Kuwait's 11,000 km² of territorial waters. Operations are controlled from new onshore Command Centres and fully integrated into SRT's C5iSR maritime surveillance system, providing live surveillance streaming and beyond-line-of-sight operation.
During the launch week, a NeedleFish completed live demonstration exercises in open water for senior Kuwaiti officials, including the First Deputy Prime Minister and the Commander of the Kuwait Coast Guard. Ocean Infinity's CEO noted the programme as a significant milestone, leveraging the company's operational experience in challenging maritime environments.
Why it mattered
This deployment highlighted the growing role of USVs in governmental maritime security, demonstrating how autonomous vessels can be tailored and integrated into larger surveillance networks. For industrial automation, it underscored the scalability of robotics technology from commercial to sovereign applications, potentially influencing future procurement and system integration trends in the marine sector.
“We are excited to see our NeedleFish USV rollout continue this week.”
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2025-07-02 · “Ocean Infinity launches ‘NeedleFish’ uncrewed surface vessel in Kuwait”