SubSea Craft expands US presence

Image courtesy SubSea Craft

The company’s expansion into Virginia Beach represents a strategic step in growing its US footprint, while strengthening collaboration opportunities within one of the world’s most concentrated maritime and defence 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 US defence 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 specialised 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 defence 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.

Bobby Dyer, Mayor of Virginia Beach, said: “The expansion of SubSea Craft in Virginia Beach underscores the powerful momentum our city is building in defense innovation. 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 defence 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 defence 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 defence industrial base.”

Terry Spitzer, CEO of Global Technical Systems (GTS) said: “GTS is proud to support and collaborate with SubSea Craft as they establish operations in Virginia Beach. Their advanced maritime capabilities, combined with the region’s deep defence 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 defence 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 defence 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 defence industrial partnerships between allied nations while advancing next-generation maritime capabilities.