In a strategic move underscoring the escalating importance of autonomous systems in maritime defense, naval manufacturing powerhouse Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has significantly expanded its operations in Portchester, England. The company has doubled the size of its unmanned vehicles site, solidifying its role as a key support hub for UK and European customers amidst a global uptick in defense spending.
Portchester: A Hub for Autonomous Innovation
The newly expanded facility adds 6,500 square feet to the existing space, transforming Portchester into a fully flexible support center for REMUS 620 unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). Nicholas Green, senior manager for international business development at HII, told reporters that the expansion will also enable the integration of Odyssey autonomy systems and the development of the new ROMULUS unmanned surface vehicle (USV) fleet, targeting the UK and broader European markets. This move directly aligns with significant procurements by the UK Ministry of Defence, which has acquired REMUS 100, REMUS 300, and REMUS 600 UUVs for mine countermeasure missions since 2001.
Enhanced Support and Elite Training Capabilities
Green highlighted that the expanded premises will facilitate REMUS 620 assembly and substantially boost training capabilities for „our customers and allied navies,” allowing for multiple concurrent training sessions. The REMUS 620 variant boasts an impressive 275 nautical mile range and 110-hour battery life, according to HII data. While company officials declined to disclose the level of investment in the expansion, it’s clear they are gearing up for increased demand.
The facility will also support HII’s partnership with UK firm Babcock, announced in September 2025, which focuses on the autonomous launch and recovery of REMUS UUVs through submarine torpedo tubes – a critical strategic capability in modern naval warfare scenarios.
Geopolitical Context and REMUS Dominance
Duane Fotheringham, president of mission technologies unmanned systems at HII, revealed that HII has delivered over 750 REMUS UUVs to 30 users worldwide. These systems, capable of operating independently or as part of a team, are vital for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare, and electronic warfare missions.
Alluding to current geopolitical tensions, Fotheringham noted that „both the US military and our allied militaries investing a lot more in defense,” leading to „across the board” spending increases, and this UK expansion is partly designed „to support those efforts.”
Green added that mine countermeasure operations are „at the forefront of what REMUS is being used” for across Europe. Nations within the REMUS user base, including Estonia, Lithuania, Norway, and Sweden, will now be able to send their vehicles to the UK for repair and maintenance. A NATO REMUS users group meeting is also scheduled to take place in Portchester this week, underscoring the site’s central role.
Localized Production and Unveiled Opportunities
While the primary production of HII’s UUVs takes place at its Pocasset, Massachusetts site, there is a clear intention to localize some production in the UK. „There is intent to do a level of production in the UK where possible and where we can, due to [the] licensing side of things, especially on the ancillary work, especially things like the launch and recovery systems for the [REMUS] 620 as well as basic level assembly of the 620 vehicles themselves,” Green explained.
HII is also pursuing a „number” of additional UK business opportunities but declined to provide details, citing „competitive advantage.” The Portchester expansion is a clear signal that HII is positioning itself to play an even larger role in Europe’s maritime security, adapting to an era defined by rapid innovation and a renewed underwater arms race.
