CNE 2026 Speakers

Each year, the Combined Naval Event brings together an exceptional lineup of speakers from across the global naval and maritime defence community. The 2026 edition features senior naval personnel, technical experts, and strategic thinkers from navies, industry, government, and academia — all sharing insights that are shaping the future fleet.

From operational commanders and procurement officials to innovators in shipbuilding, autonomous systems, and survivability, our speakers deliver invaluable perspectives across the full naval mission spectrum.

The agenda for CNE 2026 is now available to view and download:

A large conference room filled with seated attendees, all in formal attire, facing a speaker on stage with a screen displaying slides. The atmosphere is focused and professional.

2026 Speaker line-up

Dave Allen

Director Business Development, Anduril Industries UK

Dr Thomas W. Altshuler

Senior Vice President – Global Maritime Defense Strategy and Business Development,, Teledyne Marine

Caryl Russell

Platform Equipment Delivery Team Head, Submarine Delivery Agency

Eyal Zohar

Head of Marketing & Business Development – Naval Systems, IAI/ELTA Systems Ltd.

Chihiro Hirai

Research Staff – Unmanned Maritime Vehicle Research Section, Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA)

John Sinclair

Commercial Officer – FR/UK Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) Programme Division, OCCAR-EA

Kuno Peek

Project Manager, Estonian Centre for Defence Investments

Lew Ee Kent

Head Capability Development – Unmanned Maritime Systems, Singapore DSTA

Captain Niels Markussen

Director NATO Shipping Centre & NATO Maritime Centre for the Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure, NATO MARCOM

Richard Olsen

Director of Research, Space, Norwegian Defence Research Establishment

David Paul

Associate Client Director Royal Navy Key Account, Frazer Nash

Trygve Sparr

Director of Sensor and Surveillance Division Norwegian Defence Research Establishment

Paul Kessel

Strategy Director, GDMS Progeny Systems General Dynamics Missile Systems

Dave Smallwood

NG Fellow, Chief Mission Architect Multidomain Sensing,Targeting and Survivability Division, Northrop Grumman

Mike Robinson

Director Submarine Support Engineering, Babcock International Group

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