QinetiQ and Forcys have signed a strategic agreement to boost Australia’s ability to test, evaluate, and assure the safety of its expanding fleet of undersea and autonomous maritime systems. Combining QinetiQ’s proven track record in defense trial management with Forcys’ cutting-edge underwater sensing and communication technologies, the collaboration aims to deliver a more robust foundation for capability development.
A core objective of the partnership is the creation of deployable underwater test ranges, enabling the ADF to conduct performance evaluations of submarines, unmanned surface vessels, and AUVs in dynamic operational conditions. These systems are essential for ensuring mission readiness from the earliest stages of design through in-service deployment.
Australia’s focus on underwater domain awareness has intensified as strategic competition increases across the region. With threats ranging from hostile submarines to unmanned mine-laying systems, the country has invested heavily in test sites at Jervis Bay and Exmouth, where advanced sonar systems and autonomous maritime platforms can be validated in diverse environments, including congested coastal waters.
These initiatives directly support national defense priorities under the Defence Strategic Review and AUKUS Pillar 2 efforts to strengthen sovereign industrial capability and interoperability with allies. Australia has simultaneously accelerated fielding of autonomous maritime solutions such as Sea 129 Phase 4 mine-hunting AUVs, coastal surveillance drones, and remote inspection robots. Complementary sensor networks provided by Sonardyne and Chelsea Technologies ensure reliable tracking, telemetry, and rapid threat detection across multiple platform types.
