How the Spanish Navy is Harnessing AI and Cyber Defence at Sea
What does a ‘smart digital backbone’ mean for the future of naval warfare? Rear Admiral Brage, Deputy Director for Engineering in the Spanish Navy, explains how Spain is connecting sensors, decision-makers, and effectors through a secure digital infrastructure. In this conversation, he breaks down how artificial intelligence, edge computing, and advanced connectivity are shaping operations—and […]
From Legacy to Future: Belgium’s New Minehunter Fleet Sets Sail
What makes Belgium a world leader in mine warfare? Commander Doyen, the first commanding officer of Belgium’s new mine countermeasures vessel, explains how history shaped expertise and why the future is being built today. From a coastline scarred by two World Wars to the launch of a cutting-edge new fleet, Belgium’s journey in mine clearance […]
Presence is Key’: Estonian Navy Commander on Keeping Balticconnector Gas Pipeline Secure
Protecting critical undersea infrastructure such as gas pipelines is essential for regional defence and security. NATO has recently stepped up its efforts to improve resilience. On the sidelines of the Navy Tech conference, Vice Admiral Duncan Potts, former Commander of UK Maritime Forces – Royal Navy, spoke with Commodore Jüri Saska, the Commander of the […]
Is NATO’s ‘Digital Ocean’ the Answer to Securing Undersea Infrastructure?
Enhancing maritime situational awareness is key when protecting critical undersea infrastructure. The creation of a global scale network of sensors from the seabed to space to identify, classify, and combat threats is the crux of NATO’s Digital Ocean Initiative. Defence Leaders spoke with Sean Trevethan, Senior Capability Manager (Maritime), Naval Armaments Group Secretary, NATO on […]
NATO Autonomous War Games: Testing and Integration
The military alliance leads exercises focusing on autonomous underwater vehicles and maritime technologies. Exercise REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned Systems) is key to capability development and interoperability. This year it will take place from 9 to 27 September 2024. Defence Leaders spoke with Lieutenant-Commander Florin Constantinoiu, Oceanography Staff Officer from NATO Maritime […]
How Do You Turn Ideas into Military Operational Advantage Fast?
The Future Capability Group from the UK’s Ministry of Defence DE&S office helps place cutting-edge technology into the hands of the UK’s Armed Forces. The team develop and test novel and disruptive technological advancements. They are seen as key to speeding up the process to the exploitation phase by delivering data insights and understanding the […]
‘There is a lot of potential for industry’: Portuguese Navy Director of Ships
The Portuguese Navy is in the process of undertaking a series of fleet modernisation programs of its vessels. There is also a series of experimentation happening around the use of unmanned vehicles. Defence Leaders spoke with Rear Admiral Antonio Mateus, Director of Ships, Portuguese Navy on the sidelines of Navy Tech.
‘Estonia bought more ammunition over last year or so than in past 30 years’: Estonian Chairman of Defence Committee
Estonia received its long awaited anti-ship missile system in February as part of a project estimated at 100 million EUR. The maximum range of the missiles is quoted at 290 km. This is significant for the Baltic nation as it boosts its maritime capability including investment in surveillance and sea mines. Navy Leaders spoke […]