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Jun 5 2025

NATO Showcases Capabilities of Uncrewed Vessels with Demonstrations in the Baltic Sea

NORTHWOOD, United Kingdom – NATO’s standing naval forces will conduct a series of capability demonstrations of uncrewed vessels in the Baltic Sea throughout the month of June to advance the integration of these vessels into Allied maritime operations.

These demonstrations are an operational lead-up activity to NATO’s Dynamic Messenger innovation exercise scheduled this autumn in Portugal and are also part of NATO’s Task Force X innovation initiative. The capability demonstrations are a partnered initiative between NATO’s Allied Command Transformation (ACT), Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM), the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) and participating Allied nations.

Experimentation activities will occur in various locations throughout the Baltic Sea and are designed to enable critical learning and insights about how these vessels are best employed in critical maritime environments.

We remain focused on testing the Alliance’s ability to trial and integrate uncrewed systems into a networked operational environment,

“We remain focused on testing the Alliance’s ability to trial and integrate uncrewed systems into a networked operational environment,” said Royal Navy Vice Admiral Mike Utley, Commander, Allied Maritime Command. “These trials are focused on operational output and enhancing the spiral development of both NATO’s innovation teams and the national initiatives of Allies. Our objective is to deliver unmanned systems to NATO’s Standing Naval Forces with speed and scale, in the most relevant operational environments, further building on the military advantage of the Alliance.”

Same examples of USV's (Unmanned Surface Vehicle or Uncrewed Surface Vessel) being tested during NATO operational experimentation exercises.

NATO’s experimentation and integration of uncrewed vessels are part of a broader partnership between ACT and MARCOM, aimed at delivering capabilities to include autonomous systems and artificial intelligence, to enhance the Alliance’s situational awareness of sea lines of communication and the protection of critical undersea infrastructure.

Task Force X, with its focus on delivering innovative technology solutions, continues to play an integral role in delivering viable uncrewed vessels for experimentation and integration into NATO’s maritime forces.

Operationalized at unprecedented speed following recent cable disruptions, this initiative directly supports Allied Command Operations by merging Enhanced Vigilance Activities with cutting-edge autonomous systems

"Task Force X demonstrates NATO’s responsiveness and leverage of rapid innovation in support of the safeguarding of critical undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea," stated French Navy Admiral Pierre Vandier, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation. "Operationalized at unprecedented speed following recent cable disruptions, this initiative directly supports Allied Command Operations by merging Enhanced Vigilance Activities with cutting-edge autonomous systems. By combining cost-effective mass solutions with exquisite capabilities, we not only detect unidentified vessels more effectively but also preserve high-value naval assets for priority missions. It enables nations to immediately field commercially available dual-use technologies alongside advanced AI-driven platforms, creating layered persistent surveillance at a level of cost that will demonstrate resolve and operational edge through federated capabilities. The model's success – already demonstrated in early Baltic operations – will offer nations in its next step to scale up the model to an even wider protective umbrella."

Task Force X leverages successful campaigns like the U.S. Navy’s Task Force 66, employing maritime uncrewed systems to provide persistent surveillance, detect and track potential threats, and enhance situational awareness. The initiative enables nations to contribute their own capabilities, while ensuring integration within the overall NATO framework.

The Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) will also be participating in the demonstrations with the deployment of the NATO Research Vessel Alliance, NATO’s only purpose-built scientific-research vessel – a uniquely equipped floating laboratory supporting the Alliance’s operational priorities at sea.

NATO Allied Command Transformation leads the strategic warfare development of NATO’s military structures, forces, capabilities and doctrines. It aims to innovate and maintain a warfighting edge to improve the military effectiveness of the Alliance.

Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) is headquartered in Northwood, United Kingdom. MARCOM is the central command of all NATO maritime forces, and the MARCOM commander is the primary maritime advisor to the Alliance.

Story by Public Affairs Office at MARCOM

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