HII has announced the opening of a new facility in Portchester on England’s south coast, marking a significant expansion of its European unmanned operations and underscoring growing demand for autonomous maritime technologies among allied nations.

The site will serve as a regional hub for the development, support and deployment of unmanned systems, particularly those used in naval and undersea environments.

The Portchester facility will support HII’s unmanned platforms and mission technologies, including autonomous and remotely operated vehicles used for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and mine countermeasures.

The company said the location was chosen for its proximity to key naval partners, testing ranges and maritime infrastructure, enabling closer collaboration with the United Kingdom and European allies.

HII officials said the expansion reflects increased interest from European defence customers in proven unmanned capabilities, particularly as navies seek to enhance maritime security while reducing risk to personnel.

The new base will also provide maintenance, training and engineering support, helping customers integrate autonomous systems into existing fleets and operations.

The move aligns with broader defence cooperation between the United States, the United Kingdom and European partners, as investment in unmanned and autonomous technologies accelerates across the region.

By establishing a permanent presence in Portchester, HII aims to reinforce its long-term commitment to Europe and position itself to respond quickly to evolving operational requirements and future programmes.