SubSea Craft, a United Kingdom-based maritime technology and defense company specializing in advanced surface, subsurface, and autonomous maritime capabilities, today announced plans to expand its operations to Virginia Beach. The company’s expansion into Virginia Beach represents a strategic step in growing its U.S. footprint, while strengthening collaboration opportunities within one of the world’s most concentrated maritime and defense ecosystems.
As part of its expansion, the company anticipates hiring for a range of positions spanning leadership, operations, field engineering, and technicians.
Founded in the United Kingdom, SubSea Craft develops next-generation maritime platforms and technologies designed to support modern naval and defense operations in complex maritime environments.
Virginia Beach will serve as a strategic location for the company as it continues expanding engagement with U.S. defense stakeholders, maritime industry partners, and technology collaborators, including local company Global Technical Systems. The city’s proximity to military installations, maritime infrastructure, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and a highly specialized workforce make the region an attractive fit for the company’s continued growth.
“Virginia Beach offers an exceptional environment for a company operating at the intersection of maritime innovation and defense technology,” said Tom Harkin, Chief Commercial Officer. “The city’s access to maritime infrastructure, defense assets, industry expertise, and technical talent strongly aligns with our long-term vision for growth and collaboration in the United States.”
The project was led by Virginia Beach Economic Development and the Hampton Roads Alliance, and received an Economic Development Investment Program grant from the Virginia Beach Development Authority. The company was recruited with support from Virginia Economic Development Partnership.
“The expansion of SubSea Craft in Virginia Beach underscores the powerful momentum our city is building in defense innovation,” said Bobby Dyer, Mayor of Virginia Beach. “Their decision to grow here reflects the strategic advantages of our region, the strength of our advanced manufacturing and technology ecosystem, and the trusted transatlantic partnership we’ve developed with UK industry. Over the past several years, the City has invested in strengthening our international relationships, building a deliberate connection with the United Kingdom’s defense and technology sectors. SubSea Craft’s growth here reflects the trust and momentum that has come from those efforts. This investment not only brings cutting-edge capabilities to our city but also reinforces Virginia Beach as a destination where global defense innovators choose to thrive. We are excited to welcome them to our business community.”
Doug Smith, President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Alliance, said “SubSea Craft’s decision to establish operations in Virginia Beach reflects the unique strengths of the Hampton Roads region — where naval operations, shipbuilding, advanced manufacturing, autonomy, and maritime engineering expertise come together in one ecosystem. We are proud to support their expansion and connect them to the region’s world-class maritime and defense industrial base.”
“GTS is proud to support and collaborate with SubSea Craft as they establish operations in Virginia Beach,” said Terry Spitzer, CEO of Global Technical Systems. “Their advanced maritime capabilities, combined with the region’s deep defense ecosystem and industrial base, create significant opportunities for innovation, partnership, and long-term growth supporting allied maritime missions.”
The company’s expansion also reflects the growing alignment between Hampton Roads’ maritime and defense capabilities and broader strategic priorities associated with the AUKUS partnership, particularly under Pillar II initiatives focused on advanced capabilities, autonomy, artificial intelligence, undersea technologies, and defense innovation collaboration. As the Hampton Roads region continues positioning itself within the evolving AUKUS ecosystem, projects like SubSea Craft represent the type of transatlantic collaboration that strengthens defense industrial partnerships between allied nations while advancing next-generation maritime capabilities.