Kutse

SEABED SECURITY ISR

maritime

UNCREWED NAVAL SYSTEMS SURFACE WARSHIPS

A Unified Maritime Defence Ecosystem – In Association with REPMUS26

Four leading naval defence conferences. One collaborative community. Real operational insight from NATO’s premier maritime experimentation environment.

Commanding the Digital Ocean Battlespace: From Space to Surface to Seabed for Multi-Domain Operations

13-14 October 2026 | Design Hotel, Tróia, Portugal

THREE STAR PARTNERS TWO STAR PARTNERS ONE STAR PARTNERS

12th October 2026 | CEOM Site Visit

“Defence iQ hosts this valuable conference as a platform to integrate all the customers,

industrial base and lots of Navies” National Cheng Seng Institute of Science and Technology

Early Confirmed 2026 Partners

REPMUS

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Defence iQ proudly presents a four-co-located event, content-led maritime defence experience, exclusively in association with REPMUS 2026. Taking place at the Design Hotel in Tróia—steps from one of NATO’s most active maritime innovation theatres—these events bring together the global naval community to exchange insights, shape operational doctrine, and drive capability integration across domains.

Each conference—Seabed Security, Maritime ISR, Uncrewed Naval Systems, and Surface Warships—remains independent in content yet strategically aligned in purpose. Together, they create a cross-domain knowledge ecosystem unmatched anywhere else in the world.

This conference aims to unite naval leaders, operators, technologists and industry to address how superiority in the digital ocean is achieved across space, surface and seabed. By bringing together Surface Warships, Seabed Security, Uncrewed Naval Systems and Maritime ISR, the event will explore how data, autonomy and integration enable effective multi-domain operations in an increasingly contested maritime environment. Delegates will gain practical insight into aligning capabilities, accelerating interoperability and turning information advantage into operational advantage—ensuring forces are better prepared to deter, detect and respond across the full maritime battlespace.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Content-First, Mission- Driven

This is not a trade show. These are deep technical and strategic forums, each curated with operators, technologists, and decision-makers at the core.

Seamless Cross-Domain Insight

Attendees gain access to overlapping themes: uncrewed integration, ISR data flows, critical undersea infrastructure protection, fleet architecture, pipeline resilience, multi- domain-operations and more.

Backed by REPMUS 2026

With NATO’s largest uncrewed maritime experimentation environment taken place directly before the conference, insights are:

 Current  Applied  Directly tied to real exercises

and trials

Accelerated Collaboration

Four communities interact across a shared exhibition, networking lounges, and the exclusive pre-event visit to the CEOM for live demonstrations of UUVs, USVs and UAS.

In one venue, attendees meet:

 Naval officers and commanders

 NATO transformation leads  Technical programme

managers  Autonomy & AI innovators  OEMs, primes, and SMEs  Academia and research

institutions

Why Attend?

Conference Aim

defenceiq.com+44 (0) 1135 210 [email protected]

“Last year’s Seabed Security forum delivered exceptional value in a very short time. In just a few intense days in Tróia, we engaged in highly focused discussions with the key stakeholders shaping

the future of seabed security — which is why this year we are strengthening our commitment even further. The unique setting

of Tróia, combined with a highly curated audience, created an outstanding environment for deep, meaningful discussions on seabed security. Few events offer such direct access to governments, navies,

technology leaders and research institutions in such a concentrated format. Seabed security is becoming a critical and fast-evolving domain. Bringing together public authorities, navies, technology

companies and research institutes in one place made this event a unique platform to align perspectives and shape future strategies.”

Gabriel Gómez Celaya, General Manager, Marine Instruments

As part of our maritime events experience, all 500+ attendees will be invited to join us as complimentary guests at the CEOM (Portuguese Navy Operational Experimentation Centre) which exists to support maritime operational experimentation campaigns and exercises, in Tróia.

During this visit which will take place the day before the conference commences, various enterprises will also have the unique opportunity to showcase different subsea (UUV), surface (USV) and aerial solutions (UAVs) in the form of live demonstrations, highlighting their specific products’ capabilities to the participants.

This interactive part of our agenda will also enable conference guests to hear from the Portuguese Navy on key takeaways from the 2026 REPMUS exercise, and on their operational use of maritime unmanned systems as well as emerging, disruptive technologies critical to the future protection of the maritime domain.

AGENDA

1600 Travel to CEOM

1615 REPMUS 2026 debrief by the Portugese Navy

1630 Tour of the hangar

1715 Live demonstrations on the pier

1745 Networking drinks reception

1845 Travel to Design Hotel

EXCLUSIVE VISIT TO THE CEOM

defenceiq.com+44 (0) 1135 210 [email protected]

In Association with REPMUS26

REPMUS

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Focus: Undersea infrastructure resilience, seabed situational awareness, hybrid sensing, and sovereignty protection.

Why It Matters: 97% of all digital traffic travels beneath the ocean—threats to seabed networks are accelerating.

Key Speakers:

Admiral Kelly C. Ward, Commander – Task Force 66, US Navy

Rear Admiral Giulio Cappelletti, Deputy Director, National Underwater Hub, Italian Navy

Rear Admiral Francesco Saladino, Force Commander of the European Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA, Italian Navy

Captain Metter Stab–Johansen, Chief of Operations and Planning, Royal Danish Navy

Focus: Multi-layered maritime domain awareness through air, surface, subsurface, and space.

Why It Matters: ISR is the backbone enabling NATO’s operational tempo and the integration of uncrewed assets.

Key Speakers:

Rear Admiral Marco Casapieri, Operation Commander, Operation

EUNAVFOR MED Irini Richard Atkinson, Section Head Land and Maritime ISR, NATO

Aija Kalnaja, Deputy Executive Director, FRONTEX - European Border and Coast Guard Agency

Arturo Ojeda Demaria, UXS Specialist, Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance Technology Development Unit, United Nations Global Service Centre

Jeremy Churcher, Head of Defence, UK Hydrographic Office

Focus: Autonomy, AI, USVs/UUVs, C2, experimentation, and integrating uncrewed platforms into fleet operations.

Why It Matters: Uncrewed systems are redefining naval power projection and deep-water ISR.

Key Speakers:

Lord Walney, Vice-Chair, AUKUS All-Party Parliamentary Group

Rear Admiral Paul Flos, Program Director International Naval Materiel Cooperation, Netherlands MoD

Commodore Marcus Rose, Deputy Director Underwater Battlespace Capability, Royal Navy

Rear Admiral Giulio Cappelletti, Deputy Director of the Operational Structure of the National Underwater Center, Italian Navy

Focus: Fleet modernisation, digitalisation, hybrid manned-unmanned operations, survivability, and future combatants.

Why It Matters: Surface fleets remain the visible backbone of naval diplomacy, power, and deterrence.

Key Speakers:

Rear Admiral Craig Wood, Deputy Commander, STRIKEFORNATO

Rear Admiral (LH) Francesco Saladino, Head of Surface Capabilities Development Department, Italian Navy

Rear Admiral Naoya Hoshi, Director General Logistics Department, Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force

Commodore Ian Feasey, Commander of Surface Flotilla, Royal Navy

Commodore Kyrre Haugen, Chief of Naval Fleet, Royal Norwegian Navy

SEABED SECURITY ISR

maritime

UNCREWED NAVAL SYSTEMS SURFACE WARSHIPS

EVENT BREAKDOWN & KEY SPEAKERS

defenceiq.com+44 (0) 1135 210 [email protected]

Enabling Naval Power with Technology for Next Generation Surface Warships

Protecting Critical Underwater Infrastructure Amid Increasing Seabed Activity

Enhancing Maritime Situational Awareness to Outpace Evolving Threats

Powering the Next Era of Maritime Operations

defenceiq.com+44 (0) 1135 210 [email protected]

MEET THE CHAIRMEN:

Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Eric Lavault, Former Head of Seabed Warfare Department, French Navy

Rear Admiral Lavault devoted 34 years to service in the French Navy, building a career that combined operational command with strategic leadership at the highest levels.

He commanded four operational units across the full spectrum of naval operations. In Toulon, he led the Mine Clearance Diving Group and the Mine Clearance Diver Base Ship Pluton, overseeing complex underwater missions. He later took command of the fleet tanker La Somme, sustaining French naval forces on long – range deployments, before commanding the amphibious helicopter carrier Dixmude from 2015 to 2017 – a key platform for power projection and expeditionary operations.

From 2012 to 2015, he served as aide – de – camp to the President of France, operating at the heart of national decision – making. He later became director of French Navy communications and spokesperson for the Chief of Naval Staff (2019 – 2022), shaping the Navy’s public voice during a period of evolving strategic challenges.

In his final appointment before leaving active service, Rear Admiral Lavault headed the French Navy’s Seabed Control Department from 2022 to 2024, leading a mission area of growing strategic importance.

Commodore Olav Andreas Dahle, (Ret’d), Commanding Officer Norwegian Submarine Service, Norwegian Navy

Commodore Olav Andreas Dahle is a retired senior officer of the Royal Norwegian Navy with extensive experience in submarine operations, NATO command structures, and defence materiel programmes. Based in Bergen, he most recently served with the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, where he held senior roles supporting Norway’s New Submarine Programme, including Project Lead from 2022 to 2024. In this capacity, he contributed to one of Norway’s most strategically significant defence acquisitions, strengthening future undersea capabilities.

Prior to this, Commodore Dahle served at NATO Maritime Command in Northwood, UK, as TMOC Director, where he played a key role in coordinating maritime operations within the Alliance. His earlier career was defined by deep operational expertise in the submarine domain, including appointments as Commanding Officer and Chief of Staff of the Norwegian Submarine Service.

He is a graduate of the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy and has completed senior leadership training at the Norwegian Defence University College. Commodore Dahle retired from active service in 2025, concluding a distinguished career dedicated to advancing Norway’s maritime and undersea capabilities.

Dr Craig Sawyer, Former Chairman, NATO Joint Capability Group for Maritime Unmanned Systems & NATO Chairman, Joint Capability Group Maritime Unmanned Systems

Dr. Craig Sawyer has transitioned his mission support of defense technology and innovation through roles in advising and consulting. He focuses on Mission Architecture, Analysis, and Strategic advising, where he builds strategy, plans, and partnerships to help bridge commercial viability and defense value based on over 25 years of defense experience at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels. His more recent roles include science advisor for the Director of Integrated Warfare at OPNAV N9 (US). He served as the USN portfolio lead for all naval unmanned, robotic, and AI systems. He focused on aligning and guiding technology and resources in the Navy’s strategic 30-year plan, balancing investments, studies, war games, exercises, and experimentation related to unmanned systems across resource sponsors and domain leads. Dr. Sawyer’s efforts led to the Department of the Navy Unmanned Campaign Framework and the establishment of the DON Unmanned Task Force and its follow-on Disruptive Capabilities Office. Dr. Sawyer served for five years as the Chairman of the NATO Joint Capability Group for Maritime Unmanned Systems, reporting to the Naval Armaments Group, in advancing global integration of unmanned systems into alliance operations from a tactics, technology, policy, and adoption spectrum. Dr. Sawyer departed civilian service as the Deputy Director of the Office of Strategic Assessment, providing comprehensive and timely assessments of strategic initiatives across the Navy and Marine Corps, reporting directly to the Secretary of the Navy. Dr. Sawyer has broad academic experience with world-renowned institutions such as GWU, Harvard, MIT, Cornell, and others. He has numerous military awards and recognitions from his active-duty time with the US Army 10th Special Forces Group and has received the US Department of the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award twice in 2024 and 2025.

Admiral (Ret’d) Henrique Eduardo Passaláqua de Gouveia e Melo, Former Chief of the Naval Staff, Portuguese Navy

Admiral Gouveia e Melo is a senior Portuguese naval officer whose career spans over four decades. After graduating from the Naval Academy in 1984, he began service as a junior officer and soon specialised in submarines, holding key operational and command roles aboard several vessels. Between 1992 and 2002, he commanded submarines and led training and operational control within the Submarine Squadron. He later served as Navy spokesperson and commanded the frigate NRP Vasco da Gama (2006–2008). Returning to the Submarine Squadron, he oversaw its modernisation to support new Trident-class submarines. He also held senior administrative and leadership roles, including Director of Lighthouses and 2nd Commander of the Flotilla. Promoted through the ranks to Rear Admiral and then Vice Admiral, he served in top strategic positions such as Naval Commander and EUROMARFOR force commander. From 2020 to 2021, he worked at the Armed Forces General Staff and led Portugal’s COVID-19 vaccination task force. In December 2021, he was promoted to Admiral and appointed Chief of Defence Staff. His career includes advanced military education and numerous national and international honours recognising distinguished service.

SEABED SECURITY MARITIME ISR SURFACE WARSHIPSUNCREWED NAVAL SYSTEMS

SHARED EXHIBITION & COMMUNITY IMPACT THE SHARED EXHIBITION EXPERIENCE The shared exhibition is designed as the central hub of all four conferences.

For attendees, it provides:

 Hands-on demonstrations of UUVs, USVs, autonomy systems, sensors, C2 tools, mission suites, and ship technologies

 Access to solution providers spanning multiple naval domains

 Continuous networking with military and technical leaders

For exhibitors, it delivers:

 Exposure to four distinct yet synergistic audiences

 Higher ROI vs. single-track events

 Engagement with procurement leads from navies, NATO, and multi-national task forces

 Opportunity to present technology to operators fresh from REPMUS experimentation

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE MARITIME COMMUNITY  Unified Dialogue: Better alignment across

undersea, surface combatant, uncrewed, and ISR communities

 Faster Innovation Cycles: Real-time integration of REPMUS learnings

 Interoperability by Design: Cross- track attendance encourages doctrinal convergence

 Broader International Participation: Shared floor attracts NATO, EU, partner nations, and global allies

defenceiq.com+44 (0) 1135 210 [email protected]

“This conference provides us with the platform to

collectively exchange ideas and innovation so that

we can stay ahead of our adversary”

Inspector General, Royal Malaysian NavyIn Association with REPMUS26

REPMUS

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PAST SPONSORS & SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS Industry & Technology

Government, Research & Alliances

defenceiq.com+44 (0) 1135 210 [email protected]

‘I’m happy I went. The speakers were engaging and there were

plenty of conversations with attendees that will be useful in

the near future.” Senior Representative, Northrop Grumman

defenceiq.com+44 (0) 1135 210 [email protected]

Headquartered in British Columbia, Cellula Robotics Ltd. is at the forefront of marine technology, specializing in cutting-edge Autonomous Underwater Vehicles and marine robotic solutions. As one of Canada’s largest privately owned marine specialist companies with over 80 skilled professionals across Canada, the US and the UK, the company’s expertise spans engineering, design, and technical domains. Cellula Robotics Ltd. is driven by a mission to redefine the paradigm of subsea survey, science, and security through the use of long range AUVs and Robotic solutions. Our hydrogen-powered AUVs meet changing needs, guiding us towards a more sustainable future aligned with the UN’s sustainable development objectives. Unwavering in our pursuit of excellence, our long-standing ISO 9001:2015 accreditation showcases our steadfast dedication to exceeding our clients’ expectations through consistently exceptional service. Cellula Robotics cultivates a culture of sharing social values, and we are proud to be a partial employee-owned stock trust company. Cellula’s experienced leadership team has accumulated more than 300 years of expertise in delivering sophisticated robotic systems for hazardous environments. Our team has designed control systems for a diverse range of underwater vehicles, including work-class ROVs, submarine rescue systems, and hovering tank inspection robots. While standard products may suffice, custom engineering often enhances performance and capabilities. Our flexible approach ensures tailored solutions to meet challenging and unique requirements.

Website: www.cellula.com

EOD and C-IED organisations in military, government, and commercial sectors worldwide trust our patented, proven technology. An award-winning, UK-based company founded in 1985 by Dr Sidney Alford, we supply innovative explosive solutions for IEDD, CMD, Breaching, and Demolition - land-based and maritime - with a proven legacy as a world leader in explosive tools. We provide comprehensive training in C-IED, EOD, WTI, HME, patrol demolitions, and breaching techniques. Military, law enforcement, and government agencies worldwide leverage our R&D capabilities in explosive engineering. A market leader in maritime EOD tools, we have developed platform-agnostic charge delivery systems for UW EOD, in partnership with national and international organisations. These systems enable agile technology/unmanned systems to deal with new and evolving surface and subsea threats, providing capabilities for the underwater battle space. As a versatile solution suitable for multiple applications, operators can effectively, efficiently, and safely neutralise subsea threat

Marine Instruments is a Spanish technology company specializing in advanced electronic systems for marine and underwater environments. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Galicia, it is a global leader in smart fishing technologies, ocean monitoring, and dual-use solutions for security and sustainability.

A core strength is underwater acoustics, with solutions covering both active and passive sensing. Its active acoustic buoys, widely used in tropical tuna fisheries, emit sonar pulses to estimate fish biomass beneath drifting objects. Equipped with solar power, satellite communications, and AI-driven data analysis, they deliver real-time information to optimize fishing efficiency and sustainability. These same buoys are now being adapted for subsea infrastructure surveillance and maritime security missions.

On the passive side, the Marine Acoustic Smart System (MASS), originally developed for aquaculture, detects, processes, and identifies the natural sounds produced by shrimp during feeding. This enables precise feed management and waste reduction. Adapted versions of this technology support stealth monitoring of underwater anomalies without emitting signals, ideal for protecting critical infrastructure.

Complementing these systems is the M5D-Airfox, an unmanned aerial vehicle for maritime and coastal surveillance, currently in service on the Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) of the Spanish Navy. It supports missions such as maritime surveillance, anti-smuggling, and environmental monitoring.

Marine Instruments delivers innovative, reliable, and mission-ready solutions for both civilian and defense applications worldwide

THREE STAR PARTNERS

TWO STAR PARTNERS

EARLY CONFIRMED 2026 PARTNERS

MEET THE DEFENCE iQ TEAM

Divisional Director – Defence iQ

Anisa Cousin

Leads strategy, programme direction, and senior stakeholder engagement.

Senior Partnership Manager

Gal Cohen

Your primary contact for sponsorship, exhibition, and partnership opportunities.

Operations Manager

Hennessey Barry

Ensures seamless onsite delivery and delegate experience at the Design Hotel.

Head of Marketing

Nicole Smith

Drives global communications, ensuring the conference is marketed to the right channels.

Industry Audience Engagement Lead

Rizwan Bhana

Drives global outreach, ensuring the right industry decision-makers participate.

Contact us: [email protected] | +44 (0) 1135 210 042 | defenceiq.com

Mil/Gov Audience Engagement Lead

Henry Williams

Drives global outreach, ensuring the right end- user decision-makers participate.

defenceiq.com+44 (0) 1135 210 [email protected]

“An intimate concise and efficient summit gathering

relevant operational actors of space and industrial providers to

share progress and needs, find solutions through partnerships

and strenghten international cooperations.”

Chief of Flight Dynamics Group, Swiss Space Command

6th May 2026

Invitation to Attend

Defence iQ’s Unified Maritime Experience

13 - 14 October 2026 | Design Hotel, Tróia, Portugal

A Four Conference Maritime Defence Forum in Partnership with REPMUS 2026

1. It is my pleasure to invite you to Defence iQ’s Unified Maritime Experience, taking place on 13th and 14th

October in Tróia, Portugal. The central theme being addressed is creating a unified, cross-domain maritime

defence ecosystem, bringing together seabed security, maritime ISR, uncrewed naval systems, and surface

warships. This integrated gathering brings together four strategically aligned naval conferences in direct

association with REPMUS 2026, NATO’s premier maritime experimentation environment. Located beside

one of NATO’s most active maritime innovation theatres, the programme unites operators, technologists and

decision makers across the surface, uncrewed, intelligence and seabed communities. Drawing on fresh

operational insight immediately following REPMUS trials, the forum delivers applied, exercise grounded

lessons that support capability integration across the entire maritime domain.

2. The Unified Maritime Experience comprises of four co-located conferences, each focused on a distinct yet

interconnected pillar of modern naval capability. To support planning for your delegation, we have also

prepared a dedicated formal invitation letter for each event, included alongside this cover invitation.

➢ Surface Warships explores fleet modernisation, digitalisation, hybrid operations and the evolution of

future combatants.

➢ Uncrewed Naval Systems examines autonomy, experimentation cycles and the integration of UUV and

USV platforms into fleet operations.

➢ Maritime ISR focuses on multilayer awareness across air, surface, subsurface and space, highlighting

how data flows and ISR fusion enable decision advantage.

➢ Seabed Security addresses undersea infrastructure resilience, seabed situational awareness and the

protection of critical subsea networks amid rising hybrid activity.

Together, these conferences form a unified defence ecosystem supported by a shared exhibition, cross domain

networking spaces and an exclusive visit to the CEOM. Delegations are strongly encouraged to send

representatives across all four conferences to benefit fully from the depth of knowledge transfer and

collaborative networking environment.

3. As Military and Government Liaison for Defence iQ, I am pleased to formally invite the Ministry of Defence

of the Republic of Estonia to attend the Unified Maritime Experience as our guest. I would like to extend

this complimentary invitation to up to ten accompanying personnel. To ensure full value from the programme,

we encourage participation from naval leadership, operational commands, procurement authorities, seabed

protection specialists, ISR directorates, uncrewed systems teams and capability development offices.

4. The maritime environment is becoming increasingly contested across every layer of the battlespace, with

hybrid threats, rising undersea activity, rapid advancements in autonomy, pressure on surface fleet availability

and an escalating demand for persistent ISR. Holding the summit immediately after REPMUS enables

attendees to transform recent operational experimentation into doctrine, planning and interoperable capability

development. The shared exhibition and CEOM demonstrations further accelerate collaboration by bringing

together naval officers, NATO commands, programme managers, industry partners and researchers in one

unified setting.

5. There is no registration fee required for Active Military and Government personnel. Please contact Jamal

Busari at [email protected] or +44 20 7368 9825 to coordinate your delegation. For planning

purposes, it would be much appreciated if your staff could indicate your intent to participate by July 31st