NATO Allies gathered for the REPMUS 24 exercise in Portugal to test the ability of autonomous systems to operate together and to increase Alliance understanding of new threats in the maritime environment. They are joined by representatives of partner countries and organisations, NATO commands, research institutions and industry. REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned Systems) is the world's leading experimentation exercise with maritime unmanned systems. REPMUS 24 is being held around the Troia Peninsula in Portugal from 9 to 27 September 2024.
Photo credit: Portuguese Navy
In response to a more challenging security environment, NATO is stepping up efforts to deter and respond to threats in the maritime domain. Allies are strengthening situational awareness with new emerging and disruptive technologies. This includes conducting more high-end exercises connecting maritime surveillance assets across Allied nations below, on and above the sea.
REPMUS 24 provides a unique platform for operators from across the Alliance to test new systems in multi-domain experiments. The experimentation conducted during the exercise will help accelerate the development and refinement of technology, operational concepts and doctrine. This year's iteration of REPMUS is focused on the employment of autonomous vehicles in multi-domain operations, anti-submarine warfare, naval mine warfare and the protection of Critical Undersea Infrastructure.
Last year, as part of NATO's efforts to address challenges in the maritime environment, NATO established a Maritime Centre for the Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure within NATO's Maritime Command (MARCOM) in the United Kingdom to increase situational awareness and enhance deterrence and defence. A new Critical Undersea Infrastructure Coordination Cell at NATO Headquarters in Brussels was created to improve information sharing and exchange best practices between NATO Allies, partners, and the private sector. And NATO Defence Ministers launched the Digital Ocean Vision initiative connecting a range of national and Allied capabilities employed for maritime surveillance, including underwater robots, aerial drones and space surveillance assets.
NATO Allies have also developed a roadmap to guide the future development of maritime capabilities. All this is in line with other efforts across the Alliance, including the Defence Production Action Plan and NATO's Digital Transformation.
Led by the host nation Portugal, REPMUS 24 is co-organised by NATO's Joint Capability Group for Maritime Unmanned Systems (JCGMUS), the NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), the University of Porto's Engineering Faculty and the European Defence Agency.
