Royal Navy deploys uncrewed vessels and drones in NATO Wargames in Portugal.

According to information published by the UK MoD on September 20, 2024, the Royal Navy is showcasing its latest uncrewed systems and technology in a major international exercise in Portugal, as part of NATO’s annual uncrewed wargames, known as REPMUS.
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Swedish Piraya Light Unmanned Surface Vehicle. (Picture source: UK MoD)

The exercise, taking place in Troia, brings together over 200 UK personnel from the Royal Navy, the Ministry of Defence, and defense industry partners, alongside counterparts from the United States and 25 other nations. Australian personnel are also participating virtually.

A wide array of technology is being put to the test, including autonomous and remotely operated vessels and drones. Among them is the armed autonomous Pacific 24 rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB), hand-launched mini quadcopters, uncrewed surface vessels, and surveillance drones. These systems will be supported by specially-designed shipping containers, known as NavyPODS, and the experimentation vessel XV Patrick Blackett.

The XV Patrick Blackett is central to the trials, acting as a platform for the deployment of advanced systems, continuing its role from last year’s exercise. This year, additional uncrewed aerial vehicles like the Peregrine, surveillance drones such as the Puma and Ebee Vision, and the remote-piloted Rotron seaboat are being tested, as the Royal Navy explores their integration into operations and task groups.

The Navy’s Office for Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) is overseeing the use of NavyPODS as modular command centers and storage hubs, enabling uncrewed systems to operate in a coordinated manner. The Navy Develop program, part of the UK Operations Room, plays a key role in managing the real-time data sharing from these systems, helping to streamline command, control, and mission execution among international partners.

In addition to the systems already in use by participating navies, various defense companies and innovation centers from across NATO are using the exercise to test new hardware and software alongside existing naval platforms.

The experimentation vessel XV Patrick Blackett.