Kuwait has launched the world’s most advanced uncrewed surface vessel (USV), the Needlefish, under a $213 million contract with the UK’s SRT Marine Systems and Ocean Infinity, positioning the nation at the forefront of maritime security technology.
Launched in October 2024, Project Vigilant is delivering the world’s most sophisticated maritime domain awareness system, integrating cameras, radar, and RF sensors across static and mobile platforms, all connected via SRT Marine’s AI-powered GeoVS MDA system.
The Needlefish itself is a technical breakthrough:
– 14 meters long, 6 meters wide, with a wave-piercing catamaran hull
– Two marine jet engines with speeds exceeding 40 mph
– Exceptional maneuverability with the capability for multi-day operations under remote control.
Kuwait has ordered four Needlefish USVs to patrol its national waters, with missions including:
✅ intercepting suspicious vessels,
✅ search and rescue operations,
✅ deterrence patrols and fisheries monitoring,
✅ covert surveillance, pollution detection, and seabed mapping.
Simon Tucker, CEO of SRT Marine, stated:
“Kuwait has leapt into global leadership in maritime surveillance. This new USV fleet demonstrates the speed with which the nation is investing in and deploying next-generation maritime technologies.”
The vessels were built in strict secrecy at two UK shipyards and were delivered to Kuwait using chartered Antonov aircraft, the only planes large enough to transport them.
The comprehensive system also includes:
🔹 a network of surveillance towers along Kuwait’s coastline and remote islands,
🔹 100 digitized navigation aids,
🔹 multiple command centers with real-time data analysis and visualization.
This project complements Kuwait’s broader modernization efforts, which, according to Global Finance, include $121 billion in planned infrastructure projects across housing, roads, rail, and utilities, underscoring the nation’s commitment to technological leadership and enhanced maritime security.
