| Dokumendiregister | Kaitsevägi |
| Viit | 3.5-1/26/150 |
| Registreeritud | 04.03.2026 |
| Sünkroonitud | 05.03.2026 |
| Liik | Sissetulev kiri |
| Funktsioon | - - |
| Sari | - - |
| Toimik | - - |
| Juurdepääsupiirang | Avalik |
| Juurdepääsupiirang | |
| Adressaat | Navy Leaders |
| Saabumis/saatmisviis | Navy Leaders |
| Vastutaja | |
| Originaal | Ava uues aknas |
19TH - 21ST MAY 2026 | FARNBOROUGH , UK
CONFERENCE AGENDA
Welcome to the 2026 Combined Naval Event — Europe’s largest and most influential gathering for the naval community. Since we last met, the world has grown more chaotic and less stable. Conflict endures across Europe and beyond, and rapid advances in technology continue to reshape warfare. Autonomous systems, strategic unpredictability, threats to global trade, and the rise of “sub threshold” aggression against our critical infrastructure are now daily aspects of our volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world. At sea, these challenges are most visible. The maritime domain, once seen as a stable global commons, has become contested. Russian actions on the shores of the Black Sea and on the seabed of the Baltic Sea, China’s defiance of international norms in the South China Sea, and the disruption caused by non-state actors in the Red Sea all highlight the scale and urgency of the task before us. The Combined Naval Event brings together leading experts in maritime warfare, naval capability, and defence technology to confront these realities and shape a shared path forward. As history reminds us, our collective prosperity, freedom, and security depend on the sea, and yet its importance is too easily forgotten until crises arise. This year’s conference is therefore not just a meeting, but part of an ongoing dialogue on the future of naval power and global stability. Now in its fifth year, CNE has become the premier international forum for such discussion. I pay tribute to my predecessor as Executive Chairman, Vice Admiral Duncan Potts, for his leadership and wisdom in establishing this legacy, and I am honoured to step into his shoes. I look forward to welcoming more than 2,000 of you - from defence industries, armed forces, academia, and government - to Farnborough this May, where together we will chart the course ahead.
Rear Admiral (Ret’d) James Parkin CB CBE Executive Chairman, Combined Naval Event 2026
What a privilege to see you again at the Combined Naval Event 2026! I am grateful to be back for a second year supporting maritime, submarine, and advanced technology discussions with a wide array of perspectives from naval experts around the world. Last year I was struck by the difficulties many countries must confront in building and maintaining ships and submarines. During the event, it was emphasized that challenges are prevalent across all nations, regardless of their size or capabilities. Ships and submarines are significant capital investments, require highly trained crews for today’s sophisticated technologies, and demand committed lifecycle-maintenance programmes that account for operations in the most challenging ocean environments. Building and maintaining ships and submarines is costly and requires a healthy industrial base, presenting a common challenge for all countries. Several presentations last year focused on new opportunities that may augment or replace the larger platforms in some mission areas. I highlight below three specific areas that were discussed: ● The collaboration between nations partnering to acquire naval platforms. These examples emphasised the opportunity to reduce cost,
stabilise industrial base capacity, and provide resilience in supply chains and lifecycle maintenance; ● The use of uncrewed systems to perform tasks or missions more efficiently. In other words, carry out those missions at lower cost, with
less risk. And indeed, perform tasks that just cannot be accomplished by larger, manned platforms. The displays throughout the many industry partner booths highlight just how far uncrewed technology has come in the past few years; and
● Lastly, the potential of human and machine collaboration, acknowledging that when smartly teamed, they can provide greater capabilities than when deployed separately.
All speakers highlighted capabilities considering specific adversary threats, geography, manpower and habitability factors, and the harsh maritime environment. The integration of advanced technology and classic heavy-industry capabilities requires focused collaboration between navies, governments, and industry. Twenty-first-century solutions demand the need for a faster rate of change in technological incorporation and agile acquisition processes. The importance of security at sea has not changed. The requirement to project power in and across the seas has not decreased, and if anything, is now more necessary in today’s more complex geopolitical environment. I look forward to continuing our discussions, advancing ideas and solutions, and creating partnerships at this very important Combined Naval Event 2026!
Vice Admiral (Ret’d) Jeffrey Trussler Underwater Chairman, Combined Naval Event 2026
VIP PRE-EVENT PASS COLLECTION & DRINKS | MONDAY 18th MAY 2026 | AVIATOR HOTEL
1700 - 1900: Pre-event pass collection, informal networking drinks reception ● Meet the Navy Leaders team and network with other conference delegates ● Collect your badges, conference guides and any other required information ● A relaxed and casual evening that will save you time at registration on Tuesday morning
Hosted by Leonardo DRS
EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE BRIEFINGS | Location: ‘Navigate 1’
By invitation only: for information please contact the Navy Leaders team
Navy Leaders are delighted to offer bespoke, invitation-only meetings and workshops to a select group of Combined Naval Event 2026 attendees. These run concurrently alongside our main content programme in our exclusive private briefing room: Navigate 1. Whilst attendance at these sessions is predominantly by invitation only, please contact the Navy Leaders team if you wish to be present.
TUESDAY 19th MAY 2026
0900 - 1030 DETAILS TBC
1045 - 1215
DETAILS TBC
1230 - 1400
Safeguarding CUI with a Geo-Datafusion-powered solution
1415 - 1545
DETAILS TBC
1600 - 1730
DETAILS TBC
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WEDNESDAY 20th MAY 2026
0715 - 0845 SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
0900 - 1030
DETAILS TBC
1045 - 1215
DETAILS TBC
1230 - 1400
DETAILS TBC
1415 - 1545 DETAILS TBC
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1600 - 1750 DETAILS TBC
THURSDAY 21st MAY 2026
0715 - 0845 SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
0900 - 1030
DETAILS TBC
1045 - 1215
DETAILS TBC
OPENING PLENARY | Theatres A & B 0615 - ≈5km Morning run
Leaving from Aviator Hotel SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
0800 - Registration and exhibition opens Hosted by Babcock International Group
0800 - Morning coffee SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
0800 - Performance in the Central Networking Zone by The Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines Portsmouth
0900 - Chairman’s welcome and opening remarks
Rear Admiral (Ret’d) James Parkin, Former Director Develop, Royal Navy
0915 - Host Nation Opening Address: Readiness Warfighting Plan
General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, Commandant General of the Royal Marines, Royal Navy
0940 - Industry Keynote Hosted by BAE Systems
1005 - The role of NATO navies in restoring deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic region
Admiral Sir Keith Blount KCB OBE, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, NATO
1030 - Industry Keynote Hosted by BAE Systems
1055 - Morning coffee and networking Hosted by Safeguard Engineering
1055 - Performance in the Central Networking Zone by The Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines Portsmouth
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SURFACE KEYNOTES | Location: Theatres A & B SUBSURFACE KEYNOTE | Location: Theatres E & F As global threats intensify, maritime security is more important than ever. This session will explore the strategic imperatives, emerging technologies and evolving requirements that will shape surface-fleet capabilities for the next decade and beyond.
The shape of the underwater sphere has shifted towards the widespread utilisation of emerging technologies to combat hybrid and asymmetric threats. This session will explore the strategic direction of our allies in developing subsurface capabilities to ensure operational effectiveness.
1125 - Chairman’s opening remarks Rear Admiral (Ret’d) James Parkin, Former Director Develop, Royal Navy
1125 - Chairman’s opening remarks Vice Admiral (Ret’d) Jeffrey Trussler, Former Deputy Chief of the Naval Operations for Information Warfare, US Navy
SHIPBUILDING STRATEGIES AND INDUSTRIAL CAPACITY
Ensuring a robust, innovative, and adaptable shipbuilding industry is not only essential for national security, but also for sustaining industrial and economic strength. Here we focus on balancing fleet renewal and modernisation with the long-term goal of developing a sustainable and competitive industrial base.
UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGY
Advances in naval technologies have always shaped war at sea; in the 21st century disruptive and emerging technologies provide opportunities and threats for fleets. This session will explore the technologies that will be needed by warfighters to ensure dominance in the underwater environment.
1130 - The 5th Fleet in the Contested Maritime Domain ● The unique command structure of C5F and its vital mission to safeguard the
strategic maritime crossroads of the strait of Hormuz, Bal el-Mandeb, and Suez Canal
● Current threat landscape from state sponsored aggression to non-state actor attacks
● Innovative operational responses including multinational coalitions and pioneering the use of unmanned systems
Vice Admiral Curt Renshaw, Commander U.S. Navy 5th Fleet, US Navy
1130 - Future undersea warfare capability Rear Admiral Andy Perks, Director Submarines, Royal Navy
1155 - Industry Above Water Keynote Presentation Hosted by Babcock International Group
1155 - Industry Underwater Keynote Presentation Hosted by TKMS ATLAS UK
1220 - The Hybrid Navy Rear Admiral Rich Harris, Director Develop, Royal Navy
1220 - US Submarine Capabilities Transformation Ongoing programmes Transformation of procurement and capability development Opportunities for engagement
Vice Admiral Robert Gaucher, Submarine Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager (Submarine Czar), US Navy
Page 5 of 17
Day One: Tuesday 19th May 2026
1245 - Surface Lunch and networking SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
1245 - Central Lunch and networking Hosted by Denco Fluid Systems
1245 - Underwater Lunch and networking SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
SURFACE WARFARE AND FUTURE SYSTEMS
Location: Theatre A
SHIPBUILDING AND AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS
Location: Theatre B
DIGITAL, TARGETING AND INNOVATION
Location: Theatre C
SUBMARINE TECHNOLOGY AND SPECIAL OPERATIONS
Location: Theatre D
AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS AND UNDERSEA WARFARE
Location: Theatre E
SUBSEA AND SEABED WARFARE
Location: Theatre F
In association with
In association with
In association with
In association with
In association with
In association with
NAVAL OPERATIONS IN CONTESTED ENVIRONMENTS
SURFACE FLEET AUTONOMY SITUATIONAL AWARENESS NEXT GENERATION PROGRAMMES UNDERWATER BATTLESPACE
MAJOR PROGRAMMES
1405 - Chairman’s opening remarks Rear Admiral (Ret’d) James Parkin, Former Director Develop, Royal Navy
1405 - Chairman’s opening remarks Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Torben Mikkelsen, Former Admiral Danish Fleet, Royal Danish Navy
1405 - Chairman’s opening remarks Catarina Buchatskiy, Director of Analytics, Snake Island Institute
1405 - Chairman’s opening remarks Vice Admiral (Ret’d) Jeffrey Trussler, Former Deputy Chief of the Naval Operations for Information Warfare, US Navy
1405 - Chairman’s opening remarks Commodore (Ret’d) David Burton, Director, NATO ASW Barrier Programme
1405 - Chairman’s opening remarks Commodore (Ret’d) Philip Nash, Deputy Director Combined Joint Operations from the Sea COE, Royal Navy
1415 - Mordenising the core of Brazilian Naval Power Vice Admiral Marcelo Da Silva Gomes, Program Management Director, Brazilian Navy
1415 - 1 Year of the NAD Group - how maritime companies are helping DE&S deliver defence industrial strategy ● Strengthening the UK maritime
industrial base ● Supporting sovereign capability
Keith Bethell, Director Maritime Environment, DE&S
1415 - Lessons from the War in the Black Sea ● Unique insight into the maritime
conflict in the Black Sea ● What nations may need to make
themselves more ready for warfighting
● Seeking industry solutions to these modern problem sets
Commodore Steven Banfield, Co-Leader Maritime Capability Coalition for Ukraine, Royal Navy
Commodore Thomas Andersen, Co-Leader Maritime Capability Coalition for Ukraine, Royal Norwegian Navy
1415 - OCCAR U212 NFS Submarine Programme status update ● Programme status ● Key challenges and future plans ● Role as a technology and capability
incubator Captain Decio Trinca, U212 Programme Manager, OCCAR
1415 - ASW and MCM superiority - Future modernisation of Royal Netherlands Navy ● Current progress for MCM and ASW
ships ● Future programmes for RNLN ● Future plans to develop uncrewed
and autonomous capabilities Captain Joost Meesters, Head of Maritime Projects, Netherlands COMMIT
1415 - Developing strategic underwater resilience: The EU Path to protecting critical seabed assets ● Future EU seabed protection
initiative ● Joint future procurement to
enhance underwater maritime domain awareness
● Developing a coordinated approach to European underwater security
Jürgen Scraback, Head Maritime Domain Unit, European Defence Agency
1440 - Industry presentation Hosted by ABB
1440 - Industry presentation Hosted by NVL
1440 - Industry presentation Hosted by VITEC
1440 - Industry presentation Hosted by Babcock International Group
1440 - Industry presentation Hosted by General Dynamics
1440 - Industry presentation Hosted by Kongsberg
Page 6 of 17
Day One: Tuesday 19th May 2026
1505 - Blue water ambitions: China’s drive for a world class navy ● China seeks to build a world class
navy but what does this mean? ● What navy is China building and
why? ● Implications for nations around the
world Captain (ret.) Christopher Sharman, Director of China Maritime Studies Institute, US Naval War College
1505 - Future of the RNLN - The role of uncrewed systems-of-systems from an operational naval warfighting perspective ● Future vision for seven naval
warfare areas being developed by The Royal Netherlands Navy
● Deploying a systems-of-systems of platforms, people and systems to increase naval combat power
● Further development requires a continuous coupling of innovations
Bas Buchner, Project Director Maritime Uncrewed, Royal Netherlands Navy
1505 - The Black Sea’s Asymmetric Blueprint: Operational Lessons from Ukraine for 21st-Century Naval Forces ● SII’s analytical report
co-developed with Ukraine’s active-duty military units and sea drone operators
● The report serves as a learning point for Western Naval forces, based on Ukraine’s experience in asymmetric naval warfare without a traditional fleet
Catarina Buchatskiy, Director of Analytics, Snake Island Institute
1505 - An alliance for availability: long-term collaboration for multi-theatre dominance ● Political commitment from
announcements to delivery confidence
● Moving from national to international focus for build and availability
● Collaboration on innovation and technology
Annabelle Ransome-Willams, Programme Director SSN-AUKUS, Submarine Delivery Agency
1505 - TF X Baltic - From foresight to warfight: NATO ACT’s approach for rapid capability delivery ● Innovation is more than just
procuring new tech: it is a capability in itself
● TFX Baltic showed we can deliver a capability blueprint in under a year
● How did we do this? Counter-clockwise approach, bringing in EDTs directly into the OpEX format
● Future of NATO Innovation Network
Bart Hollants, Chairman- NATO Innovation, NATO Allied Command Transformation
1505 - Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Group One operational overview ● Submarine hosted and deployed
robotics & autonomous systems ● Confidence course overview - Data
management and AI/ML ● Non-submarine hosted robotic and
autonomous systems Captain Mike Dolbec, Commodore - UUVGRUV, US Navy
1530 - Afternoon coffee and networking Hosted by Bardex
MARITIME SECURITY IN CONTESTED ENVIRONMENTS
AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS IMPACT OF SPACE ON THE NAVAL DOMAIN
ENABLING COMPLEX PROGRAMMES
AUKUS PILLAR 2 MCM MOTHERSHIP CONCEPT
1615 - Red Sea Security: Stress testing naval alliances ● Alliance assessments past, present,
and future ● Strengthening global coalitions ● Building on lessons learnt from past
conflicts Commodore Sheikh Mubarak Ali Al-Sabah, General Director of the General Directorate of the Kuwait Coast Guard, Kuwait Coast Guard
Vice Admiral Curt Renshaw, Commander U.S. Navy 5th Fleet, US Navy
1615 - PROJECT EUROGUARD: Launching the first of a class of remotely operated and semi-autonomous vessels ● How EU EDF connect companies
across Europe to develop desired solutions
● EUROGUARD hull launch May 2026 and advancements
● The endless struggle of connecting military end-users with new innovation
Kuno Peek, Project Manager, Estonian Centre for Defence Investments
1615 - The Impact of space capabilities on the naval domain ● Use of Space for ISR and maritime
domain awareness ● Enabling secure communications and
targeting ● Future plans and advancements Commodore Anthony Williams, Head of Capability, UK Space Command
1615 - Future of Submarine Rescue - Italian Navy ● Current threat environment ● Current progress of ongoing
programme ● Future DRASS submarine rescue
capabilities for the Italian Navy Commander Cristiano Raffele Martino, Chief of the 1st Section - Propulsion Systems, Italian Naval Armaments Directorate
1615 - Leveraging AUKUS to maintain our advantage in the undersea domain
● AUKUS pillar 2 ● Utilising underwater uncrewed
systems ● From SSN combat systems to MPA
and utilising AI Dan Packer, AUKUS Director- Commander Submarine Forces, US Navy
Commodore Marcus Rose, Deputy Director Underwater Battlespace Capability, Royal Navy
Commodore Michael Turner, Director General Maritime Integrated Capabilities, Royal Australian Navy
1615 - Belgian-Dutch MCM replacement programme
● CONOPs ● Contract, scope and product ● Current challenges and
opportunities Commander Pierre Van Engeland, Project Manager rMCM, Belgian Navy
1640 - Industry presentation Hosted by GE Vernova
1640 - Industry presentation Hosted by Frazer Nash
1640 - Industry presentation Hosted by Bardex
1640 - Industry presentation Hosted by Exail
Page 7 of 17
Day One: Tuesday 19th May 2026
1705 - Industry presentation Hosted by Rhode & Schwarz
1705 - V & V Framework and techniques for evaluation of USV navigation autonomy ● Current state of USV V & V
techniques ● Challenges and gaps identified ● DSTA-COMMIT-MARIN
collaboration ● Insight and recommended way
ahead Lew Ee Kent, Head Capability Development - Unmanned Maritime Systems, Singapore DSTA
Commander J. Bremer, Head Unmanned and Autonomous Systems, NL COMMIT
1705 - Development of space-based maritime surveillance in the High North: The Norwegian approach ● The Norwegian Joint Headquarters
has used space based radar imaging for maritime surveillance since 1998.
● Norway’s first maritime surveillance satellite was launched in 2010. Since then, Norway has continued to develop sovereign space capabilities in a three-way cooperation between the Armed forces, the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment and Norwegian space industry.
● This presentation presents the current status, with some lessons learned, and some perspectives on future development
Richard Olsen, Director of Research, Space, Norwegian Defence Research Establishment
1705 - Delivering submarine capability to Canada ● Canadian submarine requirements ● Charting a procurement pathway ● Enhancing creativity and discipline
across the service Captain Martin Byrne, Director Naval Major Crown Projects - Submarines, Royal Canadian Navy
1705 - Industry presentation Hosted by RTsys
1705 - Procuring the generation of UK Mine Hunting Capability - MHC Block 2 ● Reporting progress on mission
system integration, a new family of remote command centres and increased focus on data exploitation
● Moving forward with the first elements of Block 2 - A minimum deployable capability
● Working with Norway to procure dedicated host platforms - The MHC offshore support vessels
● Updating industry on Spiral 1 and the next set of opportunities
Andy Lapsley, Team Lead MHC, UK MoD DE&S
Bill Biggs, Systems of Systems Architect, UK MoD DE&S
1730 - Chairman’s closing remarks Rear Admiral (Ret’d) James Parkin, Former Director Develop, Royal Navy
1730 - Chairman’s closing remarks Rear Admiral (Ret’d) Torben Mikkelsen, Former Admiral Danish Fleet, Royal Danish Navy
1730 - Chairman’s closing remarks Catarina Buchatskiy, Director of Analytics, Snake Island Institute
1730 - Chairman’s closing remarks Vice Admiral (Ret’d) Jeffrey Trussler, Former Deputy Chief of the Naval Operations for Information Warfare, US Navy
1730 - Chairman’s closing remarks Commodore (Ret’d) David Burton, Director, NATO ASW Barrier Programme
1730 - Chairman’s closing remarks Commodore (Ret’d) Philip Nash, Deputy Director Combined Joint Operations from the Sea COE, Royal Navy
1735 - Evening drinks reception Hosted by NVL B.V. & C o. KG
1915 - Hall closes
Page 8 of 17
Day Two: Wednesday 20th May 2026
0615 - ≈5km Morning run Leaving from Aviator Hotel
SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
0800 - Registration and exhibition opens Sponsored by Babcock International Group
0800 - Morning coffee SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
SURFACE WARFARE AND FUTURE SYSTEMS
Location: Theatre A
SHIPBUILDING AND AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS
Location: Theatre B
DIGITAL, TARGETING AND INNOVATION
Location: Theatre C
SUBMARINE TECHNOLOGY AND SPECIAL OPERATIONS
Location: Theatre D
AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS AND UNDERSEA WARFARE
Location: Theatre E
SUBSEA AND SEABED WARFARE
Location: Theatre F
In association with
In association with
In association with
In association with
In association with
In association with
NATIONAL FLEET STRATEGIES BUILDING THE FUTURE NAVY AS AN ALLIANCE
HIGH NORTH SURVEILLANCE FUTURE INNOVATIONS DEPLOYING UNDERWATER AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS
PROTECTING SEA LINES OF COMMUNICATION
0850 - Chairman’s opening remarks Rear Admiral (ret’d) James Parkin, Former Director Develop, Royal Navy
0850 - Chairman’s opening remarks Rear Admiral (ret’d) Torben Mikkelsen, Former Admiral Danish Fleet, Royal Danish Navy
0850 - Chairman’s opening remarks Catarina Buchatskiy, Director of Analytics, Snake Island Institute
0850 - Chairman’s opening remarks Vice Admiral (Ret’d) Jeffrey Trussler, Former Deputy Chief of the Naval Operations for Information Warfare, US Navy
0850 - Chairman’s opening remarks Commodore (Ret’d) David Burton, Director, NATO ASW Barrier Programme
0850 - Chairman’s opening remarks Commodore (Ret’d) Philip Nash, Deputy Director Combined Joint Operations from the Sea COE, Royal Navy
0900 - Challenges towards a naval capability transformation ● Creating the conditions for rapid
innovation: REPMUS and beyond ● Uncrewed systems and the drone
mothership ● Improving national infrastructure
for shipbuilding and innovation Rear Admiral Antonio Mateus, Deputy National Armaments Director, Portuguese Ministry of Defence
0900 - Countering the challenges of modern navies today and beyond - Developing strategic partnerships ● Challenges of manning, maintaining
and developing a modern navy ● Dual-use solutions for effective
operations ● Integration and implementation Commodore Kyrre Haugen, Fleet Commander, Royal Norwegian Navy
0900 - Surveillance and task in the GIUK Gap ● Icelandic Coast Guard priorities ● Challenges in building situational
awareness within Icelandic waters ● Coast Guard defence duties and
tasks Captain Audunn Kristinsson, Director of Operations and Strategic Planning, Icelandic Coast Guard
0900 - Additive manufacturing solution to obsolescence and supply chain challenges: UK Submarine Delivery Agency future strategy
● UK SDA has been exploiting additive manufacturing across multiple programmes
● Obsolescence is an issue for all defence programmes that can impact platform availability
● Additive manufacturing is an innovative option to augment the current supply chain in the SDA
Caryl Russell, Head Platform Equipment Delivery Team, Submarine Delivery Agency
0900 - Panel Discussion - How do we effectively deploy uncrewed systems for underwater surveillance? Captain Mike Dolbec, Commodore - UUVGRUV, US Navy
Captain Joost Meesters, Head of Maritime Projects, Netherlands COMMIT
Rear Admiral Angus Essenhigh, National Hydrographer & Director Data Acquisition and Defence, UK Hydrographic Office
0900 - Fireside chat - ‘The Black Sea Alliance’, countering naval threats in the Black Sea ● Black Sea Alliance for MCM ● Protecting freedom of navigation in the
Black Sea ● Enhancing interoperability and
safeguarding civilian shipping from naval sea mines
Rear Admiral Özgür Ekren, Commander of Istanbul Strait Component and CTF Black Sea, Turkish Naval Forces
Rear Admiral Cornel-Eugen Cojocaru, Fleet Commander, Romanian Navy
0925 - Industry presentation Hosted by Airbus
0925 - Industry presentation Hosted by BAE Systems
0925 - Industry presentation Hosted by IAI
0925 - Industry presentation Tim Anderson, Director Government SaaS, Terradepth
Page 9 of 17
Day Two: Wednesday 20th May 2026
0950 - Going above 2% defence spending: The future of the Royal Danish Navy ● New vessel procurement ● Testing and developing
unmanned systems ● Integration of new technology Commodore Claus Lundholm Andersen, Director of Naval Program, Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation
0950 - Lessons learnt from Operation HIGHMAST ● Path towards CSG 29 ● Uncrewed systems integration ● Collaboration with allies in the
Indo-Pacific and NATO Rear Admiral Antony Rimington, Director Force Generation, Royal Navy
0950 - Royal Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness Programme ● Collect, understand, exploit
maritime information ● Utilising advanced analytical
capabilities Captain Des Hirons, Deputy Director RNMDA, Royal Navy
0950 - Suffren class submarine programme
● Current progress of the construction of submarines
● Progress of the transition from the old Rubis to the new generation of SSNs
● Remaining work of the surrounding programmes (infrastructure, DDS, heavy torpedo F21)
Commander Peu-Duvallon, Barracuda Program Manager - SSN Class, French Navy Headquarters (EMM)
0950 - Industry presentation Hosted by BAE Systems
0950 - Industry presentation Hosted by Helsing
1015 - Morning coffee and networking Hosted by Palantir
ASYMMETRIC CAPABILITIES AIRCRAFT CARRIER
PROGRAMMES INCREASING THE TEMPO OF
INNOVATION LITTORAL STRIKE ASW AS A SERVICE MODULAR CAPABILITIES
1100 - Royal Navy Disruptive Capabilities and Technologies Office Brigadier Jaimie Roylance RM, Chief Technology Officer, Royal Navy Commodore Stu Irwin, Royal Navy
1100 - Turkish Navy Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (MUGEM) programme ● Design project office and design
philosophy of Turkish Navy ● Strategic role: power projection,
sea control and allied maritime security
● Combat systems and sensors Rear Admiral Hakan Ucar, Commander of the Naval Technical Command, Turkish Navy
1100 - Deploying capital for maritime innovation ● Introduction to the NIF, what we do
and what we can offer ● Priority investment areas;
autonomy, uncrewed systems and advanced manufacturing
● How capital is directed: venture investments alongside allies, partnering with start ups
Patrick Schneider-Sikorsky, Founding Partner, NATO Innovation Fund
1100 - Low profile and semi submersibles vessels: Applications for maritime special operation forces
● Emergence of innovative solutions for maritime mobility in denied maritime spaces
● How to best operate low-profile vessels and semi submersible vessels in maritime special operations
● Insights on capability development and the adoptions of these vessels
Commander Ricardo Pereira da Silva, Staff Officer for Expeditionary Operations, NATO Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Centre of Excellence
1100 - Atlantic Bastion - A new way of finding submarines ● Future of Royal Navy undersea
warfare ● Hybrid force for undersea warfare in
the North Atlantic ● Using crewed and uncrewed
systems for ASW Commodore Marcus Rose, Deputy Director Underwater Battlespace Capability, Royal Navy
Captain Jim Lovell, Head of Underwater Battlespace Capability, Royal Navy
1100 - Belgian-Dutch rMCM Programme, a Paradigm Shift in Mine Warfare
● Why rMCM is both an evolution and a revolution
● Systems of systems open architecture
● Readiness for modern warfare scenarios
● Future proof concept Captain Kurt Engelen, Director Centre for Security and Defence Studies, Royal Belgian Navy
1125 - Industry presentation Hosted by Navantia
1125 - Industry presentation Hosted by BMT
1125 - Industry presentation Hosted by Echandia
1125 - Industry presentation Hosted by Frazer Nash
1125 - Industry presentation Hosted by Teledyne Marine
1125 - Industry presentation Hosted by HII
Page 10 of 17
Day Two: Wednesday 20th May 2026
1125 - UK Commando Forces: Enabling strike and advantage in the high north ● Commando forces as critical
enabler of all Royal Navy outputs ● Role in the atlantic series of
operations ● Shifting risk away from high-value
assets and onto the adversary Brigadier Jaimie Norman, Commanding Officer 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines Commandos
1150 - Building France’s Next Generation Aircraft Carrier ● A ship overview ● An ambitious building process ● An aircraft carrier, a drone and
smart carrier Commander Gabriel de Roquefeuil, PA-Ng Programme Officer, French Navy
1150 - Scientific Diplomacy, R&D and capacity building ● Defence-enabled cooperation in
maritime Innovation ● Digital twins, and autonomy
Captain Ali Ashour, Senior Engineering Officer, Kuwait Coast Guard
1150 - ‘Not everything can be done by machines’ - the enduring role of divers in undersea warfare
● Undersea warfare ● Submarine covert deployment ● Special forces Commander Rory Armstrong, Commanding Officer - Diving and Threat Exploitation Group, Royal Navy
1150 - ASW in North Atlantic - The age of multi-domain operations and hybrid navies ● Evolving Russian submarines and
underwater capabilities constitute a pacing threat - the ‘fourth battle of the Atlantic has begun
● Russian capability designed to disrupt allied reinforcement remains a hindrance to FoN for the alliance
● Norway & UK combined and interchangeable ASW capability using a combination of sensors, warships, aircraft and new tech - this is called the Atlantic Bastion Concept
Captain Daniel Thomassen, Commander 1st Frigate Squadron, Royal Norwegian Navy
1150 - Automatic target recognition technology for MCM AUVs - Future of Japan’s MCM capabilities ● Japan’s shift to autonomous
systems in MCM ● Operating MCM AUVs using both
HF and LF synthetic aperture sonars, results of sea trials
● Using ML to automatically detect and classify mines, including in buried and contested conditions
Chihiro Hirari, Research Staff - Unmanned Maritime Vehicle Research Section, Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA)
1215 - Lunch and networking SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
1215 - Lunch and networking Hosted by CUBEDIN
1215 - Lunch and networking SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
SUSTAINING OPERATIONS RENEWING THE FLEET MARITIME SECURITY OPERATING IN THE LITTORAL DEFENDING THE GIUK GAP & HIGH NORTH
MINE WARFARE AS A STRATEGIC DETERRENT
1345 - The Royal Fleet Auxiliary - the war fighting enabler ● The RFA in recent operations ● Sustaining the current fleet ● Evolving the RFA to meet the
demands of the future Commodore Sam Shattock, Head of Service and Commodore of the RFA, Royal Fleet Auxiliary
1345 - The HORIZON mid life upgrade and FREMM Programmes ● Introduction to OCCAR ● FREMM frigates & Horizon class
capabilities ● Considerations and conclusion Lorenzo Raciti, Programme Manager, OCCAR Sebastien Le Bouter, Deputy Programme Manager, OCCAR
1345 - Maritime Security Update - from the Caribbean Sea to the Indian Ocean ● Persistent surveillance capabilities ● Collaboration with commercial
shipping ● Update on Houthi attacks on
shipping in the Red Sea Commander Thomas Scalabre, Commander of MICA Centre, French Navy
1345 - Fireside chat - Building future submarine capability - Operational and industrial lessons learnt from the German-Norwegian submarine ● 212CD submarine from a Navy
perspective ● Submarine service to submarine
service cooperation ● Current developments Captain Jim Robertsen, Head of the Norwegian Submarine Service, Royal Norwegian Navy
Commander SG Kai Nickelsdorf, Commander 1st Submarine Squadron, German Navy
1345 - Defending the GIUK Gap - Lessons learnt from Royal Danish Navy activities in ASW
● Russian submarine threat in the GIUK Gap
● Lessons learnt from ASW operations
● Future capabilities for effective operations
Captain Thomas Stig Rasmussen, Commander of the 2nd Squadron, Royal Danish Navy
1345 - Finland – “Superpower” of naval mine warfare ● Strategic mine laying ● Naval mine warfare systems ● Mine laying capability ● Naval Mine Cooperation Commander SG (ret’d) Rami Keinänen, Programme Manager - Navy Command, Finnish Navy
Page 11 of 17
Day Two: Wednesday 20th May 2026
1410 - Industry presentation Hosted by SH Defence
1410 - Industry presentation Hosted by Plasan
1410 - Industry presentation Hosted by IAI
1435 - Industry presentation Hosted by Gabler
1410 - Industry presentation Hosted by Cellula
1410 - Industry presentation Hosted by Kraken Robotics
1435 - Ensure operational availability and performance of Naval Assets - Maintain and enhance new capabilities in an ever growing competitive environment ● Overlook on current support
organisation - from mainland and to the area of operations
● Secure logistics flows and consolidate support responsiveness throughout the support chain
● Lessons identified and learned: operational feedback from new technology integration
● Future plans Commander Mathieu Girardot, Deputy Vice-Director Technical Sub-Directorate, French Navy Fleet Support Service
1435 - Royal New Zealand Navy Fleet Renewal Programme ● Transformation and the building of
a resilient naval system ● The programme’s principles ● Future options with a fleet of
crewed and uncrewed platforms Commodore Brendon Clark, Co-Director Maritime Fleet Renewal, Royal New Zealand Navy
1435 - US Navy Robotic and Autonomous Systems Employment in Europe and Africa ● Research and development of
systems vs employment ● Improving acquisition speed ● Allied collaboration and breaking
down barriers to RAS employment ● Continuous future operations of
unmanned systems to fill gaps in allied defences
Rear Admiral Kelly Ward, Commander US Naval Forces EU-AF, Commander Task Force 66, US Navy
1435 - Canada’s role in maritime security in the high north ● Unmanned and autonomous
systems are essential to improving underwater MDA
● Recent events in the Baltic and SCS highlight the vulnerabilities associated with CUI and underwater surveillance
● CUI is not purely a naval problem - it requires a whole of government approach
Captain Robert Watt, Director of Naval Strategy, Royal Canadian Navy
1435 - Moving from a post war to pre war footing - Future strategy for Royal Danish Navy's naval mine laying capability ● Current maritime threat environment ● Responding to hybrid threats to CUI
and Russian aggression ● Danish historical and future
deployment of naval sea mines ● Mine warfare for the strategic
protection of ports and sea lines of communication
Commander Dr. Johannes Riber, Military Analyst, Royal Danish Defence Academy
1500 - Afternoon coffee and networking SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
OVERCOMING THE TYRANNY OF DISTANCE
SHIP PROGRAMMES DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION HOSTILE NAVIES AND EMERGING THREATS
EVOLVING UNDERSEA WARFARE CAPABILITIES
SEABED WARFARE
1545 - Assured Sealift and maritime logistics: Enabling joint operations across Europe and Africa ● Overview of task and AOR ● Operations throughout 2025 ● Future developments and plans
Captain Bill Miante, Deputy Commodore TF63, Military Sealift Command Europe and Africa, US Navy
1545 - European Combat Vessel - The future ships for Europe ● European Combat Vessel as a
modular family of small, medium, and large combatants
● Future-ready, adaptable design for evolving missions and threats
● NATO-compatible interoperability with advanced sensors, communications, and weapons
Jürgen Scraback, Head Maritime Domain Unit, European Defence Agency
1545 - Operating in a digitally transparent battlespace ● Working in the littoral is complicated
by connectivity ● Drones are only the start of the
challenge ● Cyber capabilities will not be
enough to support you ● You will need much closer shore
based support ● It will be impossible to control the
information environment ● Noise will be your friend Dr Matthew Ford, Associate Professor, Swedish Defence University
1545 - Preparing for the Dreadnought and SSN AUKUS class - Clyde 2070 future vision ● Strengthening national security -
delivering a warfighting ready naval base to house the continuous at Sea deterrent
● Enhancing lives and capability - improving training environment for personnel at HMNB Clyde
● Driving regional growth and strengthening investment into West of Scotland
Andrew Tims, Deputy Director Clyde Capital Programme, Royal Navy
1545 - Manned-unmanned teaming’ - ROK Navy Sea Ghost Programme ● Developing manned and unmanned
teaming for maritime operations ● Deploying UUVs for combat
operations ● Delivering unmanned capabilities at
pace Captain Chongsu Lim, Head of Force Planning Division N5 - ROKN HQ, ROK Navy
1545 - The Norwegian model for effective CUI - Enhancing surveillance and deterrence ● Current threat environment in the
North Atlantic ● Developing a whole of government
approach - resilience and redundancy
● Reducing adversary ability through deniability
● Developing civilian-military information sharing
Commodore Kyrre Haugen, Fleet Commander, Royal Norwegian Navy
Page 12 of 17
Day Two: Wednesday 20th May 2026
1610 - Industry presentation Hosted by IAI
1610 - Industry presentation Hosted by SEA
1610 - Industry presentation Hosted by Safran
1610 - Industry presentation Hosted by Thales
1610 - Industry presentation Hosted by Anduril
1610 - Industry presentation Hosted by DSG
1635 - Update on Maritime Aviation transformation and the route to a hybrid air wing ● MATX - embedded in Defence
planning ● Exploiting experience and
preparing to scale-up at pace ● From RPAS to ACP -
operationalising for the fight ● Defence reform - the opportunity
to do things differently Commodore Steve Bolton, Deputy Director Aviation Programmes and Futures, Royal Navy
1635 - Advances in the naval industry and the modernisation of the naval fleet to meet new challenges ● Mission, vision and scenery ● Main threats and challenges ● Our roles ● Advances in strengthening and
development of the naval industry ● Advantages of naval construction
for the country ● Construction of a modern naval
force Rear Admiral Belisario Zagazeta, Director Naval Projects, Peruvian Navy
1635 - EU Maritime Surveillance - MARSUR III programme ● Federated maritime situational
awareness under full Member State control
● Multi-domain integration (surface, underwater, seabed data)
● EU SECRET–capable, NATO-interoperable, operationally validated system
Jürgen Scraback, Head Maritime Domain Unit, European Defence Agency
1635 - Naval developments in China and Russia ● Latest developments in submarines,
naval drones and relevant warships ● Areas where China is taking the
lead H I Sutton, OSINT Analyst, Covert Shores
1635 - Shift to underwater warfighting capability - Royal Australian Navy shift to integrated maritime uncrewed systems ● Integrating maritime uncrewed
systems ● Undersea warfare initiatives ● Future plans for the underwater
domain Commodore Michael Turner, Director General Maritime Integrated Capabilities, Royal Australian Navy
1635 - French Navy’s future vision for seabed warfare capabilities ● Mastering crewed and uncrewed
capabilities ● Enabling effective seabed warfare
operations ● Ambition for future seabed warfare
capabilities Captain Hugues Vallette, Seabed Warfare Coordinator, French Navy
1700 - Chairman’s closing remarks Rear Admiral (ret’d) James Parkin, Former Director Develop, Royal Navy
1700 - Chairman’s closing remarks Rear Admiral (ret’d) Torben Mikkelsen, Former Admiral Danish Fleet, Royal Danish Navy
1700 - Chairman’s closing remarks Catarina Buchatskiy, Director of Analytics, Snake Island Institute
1700 - Chairman’s closing remarks Vice Admiral (Ret’d) Jeffrey Trussler, Former Deputy Chief of the Naval Operations for Information Warfare, US Navy
1700 - Chairman’s closing remarks Commodore (Ret’d) David Burton, Director, NATO ASW Barrier Programme
1700 - Chairman’s closing remarks Commodore (Ret’d) Philip Nash, Deputy Director Combined Joint Operations from the Sea COE, Royal Navy
1705 - Evening drinks reception Hosted by ABB Marine
1705 - Evening drinks reception Hosted by Aeromaritime Systembau GmbH
1705 - Evening drinks reception SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
1915 - Hall closes
Page 13 of 17
Day Three: Thursday 21st May 2026
_NAVY FORUMS_
Navy Leaders are delighted to introduce our new NAVY FORUMS format that will bring military commanders, policy makers, subject matter experts, academia and industry together to address some of the most pressing issues for the community. The format combines focused presentations from experts, a moderated panel discussion and practical workshops with each element supporting frank exchanges and shared learning.
NAVY BUSINESS FORUM | THEATRE D NAVY PEOPLE FORUM | THEATRE C
Moderated by: Rear Admiral (Ret’d) James Parkin, Former Director Develop, Royal Navy Moderated by:
0930 - 1100
Selling to the MOD
This practical working group session will explain how the Ministry of Defence buys capability and how suppliers can engage effectively. It covers key decision makers, procurement routes and commercial requirements. Attendees will learn how to shape clear value propositions, align with naval capability priorities and work confidently with defence customers.
2 x SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE
Panelists:
Vice Admiral Paul Beattie CBE, Second Sea Lord, Royal Navy
Jim Carter, Director General Commercial and Industry, UK MOD NAD Group
Office for Small Business Growth, UK Ministry of Defence
0930 - 1100
Under pressure; Mental wellness and human factors on operations
Extended high-tempo deployments test the limits of concentration, judgement and mental resilience. Fleets rely on crews who can endure pressure without loss of effectiveness. This session brings together human factors specialists, clinicians, operational leaders and service charities to look at how fatigue, workload, stress and isolation influence human performance and will set out practical measures for keeping personnel operationally effective and resilient.
2 x SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE
Presentations from: Commodore Ben Haskins CBE, Commander Submarine Flotilla, Royal Navy
Centre of Military Health Research, Kings College London
1115 - 1245
Selling to primes This working group focuses on how to approach and work with major defence primes. It examines how primes identify opportunities, how suppliers can engage, and what qualification criteria matter. Attendees will gain practical insight into partnership models and how to match technologies or products to programme needs.
2 x SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE
Panelists invited to participate:
1115 - 1245
People power; Future skills and training This working group covers current and future training demands across naval roles. It assesses gaps in technical and digital skills and reviews modern training tools, including simulation and adaptive learning. It sets out approaches to develop competent, confident personnel who can operate advanced platforms and systems.
2 x SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE
Presentations from: Lieutenant Commander Toni Harding, FutureNEST Royal Navy Rep, Royal Navy
Fleet Operational Standards and Training, Royal Navy
1400 - 1530
How to get investment
This working group looks at how to attract investment for defence innovation. It covers how to position a defence proposition, meet investor expectations and demonstrate market potential. Attendees will learn how to approach venture capital firms, build credible relationships and work effectively with investors.
2 x SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE
Panelists:
Defence Investors Advisory Group, UK Ministry of Defence
Patrick Schneider-Sikorsky, Senior Partner, NATO Innovation Fund
Page 14 of 17
Day Three: Thursday 21st May 2026
0800 - Registration and exhibition opens Hosted by Babcock International Group
0800 - Morning coffee SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
Location: Theatre B 0855 - Chairman’s opening remarks
Rear Admiral (ret’d) James Parkin, Former Director Develop, Royal Navy
0900 - Ministerial Address
Luke Pollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, UK Government
SURFACE WARFARE AND FUTURE SYSTEMS Location: Theatre A
SHIPBUILDING AND AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS Location: Theatre B
AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS AND UNDERSEA WARFARE Location: Theatre E
SUBSEA AND SEABED WARFARE Location: Theatre F
In association with
In association with
In association with
In association with
ENSURING MARITIME SECURITY IN GREY ZONE WARFARE
INCREASING SHIPBUILDING CAPACITY MAJOR PROGRAMMES SUBSEA SURVELLIANCE
0925 - Chairman’s opening remarks Commodore (Ret’d) Philip Nash, Deputy Director Combined Joint Operations from the Sea COE, Royal Navy
0925 - Chairman’s opening remarks Rear Admiral (ret’d) Torben Mikkelsen, Former Admiral Danish Fleet, Royal Danish Navy
0925 - Chairman’s opening remarks Vice Admiral (Ret’d) Jeffrey Trussler, Former Deputy Chief of the Naval Operations for Information Warfare, US Navy
0925 - Chairman’s opening remarks Commodore (Ret’d) David Burton, Director, NATO ASW Barrier Programme
0930 - From Preparedness to Response: Addressing Grey-Zone Threats in the Maritime Domain ● The maritime domain has become a permanent frontline ● Maritime Domain Awareness: Decisive only when
shared ● Clear jurisdiction and executable legal powers enable
early response ● Response requires assets in high readiness ● Intelligence and risk-based analysis turn awareness into
action ● Adaptability depends on cooperation beyond
governments Vice Admiral Markku Hassinen, Chief of the Border Guard, Finnish Border Guard
0930 - Autonomy, sustainability and resilience: The future of British Shipbuilding ● UK’s Maritime Technology Action Plan ● Type 26 deal with Norway ● UK shipbuilding pipeline, autonomous systems,
sustainability and industrial readiness Commodore Jon Carrigan, Deputy Director, National Shipbuilding Office UK
0930 - JMSDF 2035 vision for UxVs and UUVs ● JMSDF 2035 vision for underwater battlespace and
uncrewed systems ● Undersea warfare Captain Masahiko Ito, Director of Systems Programs Division, Japanese Maritime Self Defence Forces
0930 - Security of shipping and protecting critical undersea infrastructure
● Military role against non-military threats ● Breaking down sector silos - comprehensive approach
to countering hybrid threats ● Operational cooperation with industry Captain Niels Markussen, Director NATO Shipping Centre & NATO Maritime Centre for the Security of Critical Undersea Infrastructure, NATO MARCOM
0955 - Industry presentation Hosted by Davie
0955 - Industry presentation Hosted by Leonardo
0955 - Industry presentation Hosted by Ultra Maritime
0955 - Industry presentation Hosted by Thales
Page 15 of 17
Day Three: Thursday 21st May 2026
1020 - Maritime Security Situation in the Black Sea ● Current maritime situation environment in the Black
and its impact on regional security ● Key challenges and threats affecting naval operations
and freedom of navigation ● Operational lessons identified from recent
developments and activities ● The role of allied and partner naval cooperation in
addressing shared security concerns ● Future perspectives and priorities in enhancing
maritime security in the Black Sea region Rear Admiral Cornel-Eugen Cojocaru, Fleet Commander, Romanian Navy
1020 - Commercial ship conversion for defence ● Militarising a commercial ship ● Rapid capability insertion pitfalls ● Schedule vs engineering vs safety ● Implementing a HV policy
Trevor McKerlich, Electrical Power & Distribution Engineer, DE&S at Royal Fleet Auxiliary
1020 - Countering underwater threats in the Baltic Sea - Sweden’s future procurement and capabilities for undersea warfare ● Assessing the current threat environment in the Baltic
Sea ● Building Sweden’s future undersea warfare capabilities ● The rise of maritime uncrewed systems in the
underwater domain Ulrik Sköldkvist, Project Manager UW Weapons Systems, Swedish FMV
1020 - MCM next - Purpose built design for the MCM force of the future
● US MCM force design has been an evolutionary process
● MCMTD is currently working a ‘tabula rasa’ approach to US MCM force design
● Lessons learnt and deliberate approach to capability, costs, sensors, modality and force structure
Captain Scott Hattaway, Director - Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Centre Mine Countermeasures Technical Division, US Navy
1045 - Morning coffee and networking SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
DELIVERING FUTURE SURFACE COMBATANTS NAVAL BASE TRANSFORMATION DELIVERING AT PACE FUTURE SEABED CAPABILITIES
1130 - Future above water capability and surface ships ● Use of AI for shipbuilding ● Hunter class update ● New amphibious platforms ● Mogami class frigate update
Commodore Michael Turner, Director General Maritime Integrated Capabilities, Royal Australian Navy
1130 - Clyde X - Naval base innovations ● Developing an interconnected innovation landscape -
Connecting people and digital capabilities ● Turning lessons learnt into actionable action for
effective operations ● Marginal gains are hard-won not easy wins
Captain Paul Barker, Captain Clyde X, Royal Navy
1130 - Ready for war - Cooperation within NNCC and NATO ● Developments within uncrewed systems and autonomy ● Ongoing cases with the NATO Armament Group ● Industry’s relations to NATO Rear Admiral Paul Flos, Program Director International Maritime Materiel Cooperation and Chairman of NATO Naval Armament Group, Netherlands Ministry of Defence
1130 - Delivering transformative capabilities for Navy Acquisition - Introducing the Maritime Systems Group
● Mine Hunting Capability Update ● Future Offshore Support vessel programme and
cooperation with Norway ● Future Military Data Gathering (FMDG) and
Maritime Electronic Warfare (MEWP) programmes Commodore Michael Wood, Deputy Director Maritime Systems Group - Navy Acquisition, Royal Navy
1155 - Industry presentation Hosted by
1155 - Industry presentation Hosted by
1155 - Industry presentation Hosted by
1155 - Industry presentation Hosted by
1220 - Integrating Multi-role USVs into hybrid point defence in littoral waters
● Overall study objectives and management ● Operational requirements and delivering effective
point defence capability ● Sensors, effectors and C3 ● Platform options and concept development ● Flexibility, sustainability, maintainability, safety and
legality ● Initial findings and acquisition challenges ● Accelerated initial operating capability and the future
Commander (ret’d) Dickie Burston RN, Chairman NIAG SG315, NATO Industrial Advisory Group
1220 - Rapid Acquisition and delivery: Portsmouth Capability Accelerator ● Bringing innovators to the waterfront ● Delivering technology at scale to the warfighter ● Assurances by design ● Future plans to build a naval innovation hub Commodore Marcel Rosenburg, Naval Base Commander Portsmouth, Royal Navy
1220 - Anti-Torpedo Torpedo programme - A strategic leap in underwater defence ● Hard kill anti-torpedo solution ● EDA supported project - From prototype to series ● ATT will transform survivability, restore freedom of
manoeuver and strengthens collective maritime deterrence
Captain Ricardo Braz Freitas, Maritime Program Manager, European Defence Agency
1220 - Delivering FR/UK MMCM Capability – Progress, challenges and lessons learned ● Overview of the MMCM and its strategic importance ● Key milestones and current delivery status ● Managing delays, risk and contractual challenges ● Lessons learnt for future collaborative programmes John Sinclair, Commercial Officer - FR/UK Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) Programme Division, OCCAR-EA
1245 - Chairman’s closing remarks 1245 - Chairman’s closing remarks 1245 - Chairman’s closing remarks 1245 - Chairman’s closing remarks
Page 16 of 17
Day Three: Thursday 21st May 2026
Commodore (Ret’d) Philip Nash, Deputy Director Combined Joint Operations from the Sea COE, Royal Navy
Rear Admiral (ret’d) Torben Mikkelsen, Former Admiral Danish Fleet, Royal Danish Navy
Vice Admiral (Ret’d) Jeffrey Trussler, Former Deputy Chief of the Naval Operations for Information Warfare, US Navy
Commodore (Ret’d) David Burton, Director, NATO ASW Barrier Programme
1245 - Lunch and networking SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
1245 - Lunch and networking Hosted by Leidos Innovations UK Ltd
1245 - Lunch and networking SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE
DIGITAL NAVY: THE ROLE OF ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES IN THE FUTURE FLEET Location: Theatre B
The recurring theme of discussions has been leveraging advanced technologies for increased operational effect in the maritime domain, be it quantum, big-data, AI or advanced manufacturing. It is clear that navies must embrace new technologies and evolve at pace to ensure overmatch at sea.
FUTURE OF UNDERWATER BATTLESPACE Location: Theatre F
This session offers an in-depth exploration of the strategic objectives, technological advancements, and geopolitics of the AUKUS security partnership. Pillar II emphasises collaborative development of advanced military capabilities, including AI, quantum technologies, hypersonics, and cyber.
1345 - How the NAD group is bringing new focus to SMEs role in Defence Acquisition Jim Carter, Director General Commercial and Industry, NAD Group
1345 - UK submarine acquisition - Future plans Rear Admiral Paul Carroll OBE, Director Submarines Acquisition, Submarine Delivery Agency
1410 - Industry presentation Hosted by Navantia
1435 - Surface Closing Keynote Rear Admiral Matthew Stratton, Director Acquisition, Royal Navy
1410 - Industry presentation Hosted by Northropp Grumman
1435 - Subsurface closing keynote Vice Admiral Paul Beattie CBE, Second Sea Lord, Royal Navy
1500 - Chairman’s closing remarks Commodore (Ret’d) Philip Nash, Deputy Director Combined Joint Operations from the Sea COE, Royal Navy
1500 - Chairman’s closing remarks Vice Admiral (Ret’d) Jeffrey Trussler, Former Deputy Chief of the Naval Operations for Information Warfare, US Navy
1505 - CLOSE OF CONFERENCE
Page 17 of 17
Navy Leaders Ltd Greenwood House 91-99 New London Rd Chelmsford CM2 OPP United Kingdom +44 (0)1245 407 922 www.navyleaders.com 3rd March 2026
OFFICIAL INVITATION TO THE COMBINED NAVAL EVENT (19th – 21st MAY 2026)
Dear Commodore Ivo Värk
We are honoured to invite you and a delegation from Estonia to participate in the Combined Naval Event (CNE), which takes place between 19th and 21st May 2026 at the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre in the UK.
CNE is the largest annual dedicated naval conference in Europe and is officially supported by the Royal Navy, the UK Department for Business & Trade, the UK Ministry of Defence and NATO. The event attracts over 2,500 attendees from more than 80 countries, and hosts 230 exhibiting companies from naval industry, and is a superb opportunity to develop and enhance your network of naval, defence industrial, and academic experts.
Since last year’s event, the world has grown more chaotic and less stable. Conflict endures across Europe, and technological advances continue to reshape how we think about warfare. Autonomous systems, strategic unpredictability, threats to global trade, and the rise of “sub threshold” aggression against our critical underwater infrastructure are now daily aspects of our volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world; there is, therefore, much to discuss. As such, a recrafted CNE conference programme runs alongside the exhibition, and offers compelling strategic insights into these issues via a curated agenda that brings together government ministers, senior officers from Armed Forces around the world, industry leaders, defence technology practitioners, and experts in maritime warfare to collaborate and address shared challenges. We would be honoured if you would consider supporting the event by joining us, or sending a delegation of personnel representing Estonia. We would be delighted to welcome any personnel you decide to delegate at Europe’s largest annual naval event. We understand the demands on your schedule and the difficulty of predicting your commitments, but we hope you will join us. Should you have any questions or require further information, please contact our colleague, [email protected] . Thank you in advance for your consideration of this invitation. We hope to see you in May.
Yours sincerely,
Vice Admiral Jeffrey Trussler USN (Retired) Rear Admiral James Parkin CBE (Retired)
Chairs of Combined Naval Event 2026
Supported by