Strategic Partnership Formed to Propel Maritime Technology Advancements

Ocean Aero’s Triton provides a tangible & dynamic hardware-software solution to many maritime concerns in Saudi Arabia, including defense, offshore oil and gas, and the environment By Abi Wylie / 12 Feb 2024
Strategic Partnership Formed to Propel Maritime Technology Advancements
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Ocean Aero, INTRA Defense Technologies, and MEMR have made a formal partnership and signed a teaming agreement that positions the three companies as key contributors to the advancement of unmanned systems in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

This strategic alliance was facilitated by Lockheed Martin, which holds a significant stake in Ocean Aero and provides trusted expertise across a variety of disciplines. 

This partnership will introduce and implement disruptive maritime technology to the region through Ocean Aero’s Triton AUSV — reportedly the world’s first and only autonomous underwater and surface vehicle — capable of servicing a large and growing set of applications in the Kingdom.

Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, this partnership promotes the localization of cutting-edge engineering, job creation, and technology transfer. Vision 2030 envisions a thriving and diversified economy—this alliance actively ensures maritime drone technology is part of the transformation while demonstrating the region’s technological prowess and contributing to sustainable economic growth.

Ocean Aero’s Triton provides a tangible and dynamic hardware-software solution to many maritime concerns applicable to the region, including those related to defense, offshore oil and gas, and the environment. Defense-driven capabilities of the vehicle include maritime domain awareness, sonar mapping, towing and launching loitering munitions, conducting ISR, security monitoring, mine countermeasures, and anti-submarine warfare. 

The vehicle also has promising applications for the Saudi Arabian oil and gas industry, enabling persistent monitoring, construction support, and the integration of sustainable practices through sonar and survey. Further environmental applications include reef monitoring, water chemistry testing, illegal fishing interdiction, and more. 

With the support of INTRA Defense Technologies and MEMR, Ocean Aero will fortify Triton fleets with ongoing component development, routine maintenance, and continued industrialization in the region.

The joint announcement coincides with the unified attendance of all parties at the prestigious World Defense Show, held in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, underscoring the global significance of this collaboration.

“With INTRA and MEMR’s expertise, we are well positioned to drive forward our unique autonomous maritime technology in the Kingdom in service of organizations like RSNF, ARAMCO, NEOM, and others. We now have the basis to grow a local industry tailored to the needs of Saudi Arabia,” commented Kevin Decker, CEO of Ocean Aero.

“This revolutionary technology promises to reshape the Saudi Arabian maritime industry and contribute substantially to the Kingdom’s 2030 goals. Our collaboration marks a combined commitment to advancing state-of-the-art solutions that align seamlessly with supporting national security, regional defense, and environmental sustainability programs,” said Dr. Hamad Alfouzan, CEO of INTRA Defense Technologies.

Posted by Abi Wylie Connect & Contact