The Ukrainian Naval Forces took part for the first time in NATO's largest exercises on the use of unmanned systems in maritime operations — REPMUS 24. Utilizing the DELTA combat system, Ukrainian military personnel coordinated the operation of over 50 unmanned vehicles of various types, including underwater, maritime, ground, and aerial drones.
During the exercises, DELTA was also able to connect with and receive location data from the German "robot dog" Robotics-L from Rheinmetall. This four-legged robot, thanks to its mobility, can accompany soldiers in challenging terrain, perform a variety of tasks, and aid in protecting them from mine hazards.
The training took place near the Troia Peninsula in Portugal from September 9 to 27. The military practiced using drones for various tasks, including anti-submarine warfare, neutralizing sea mines, and protecting critical underwater infrastructure.
Throughout the exercises, the DELTA system integrated with other combat systems, allowing for data exchange and the differentiation of "friendly" and "enemy" forces. This significantly improved operational management and enhanced the level of coordination among the participants in the maneuvers.
"A series of NATO events involving Ukraine this year demonstrates how valuable our military's innovative developments are to our Western partners. Joint maneuvers with NATO, like REPMUS 24, not only facilitate experience exchange but also enhance interaction between Ukraine and our partners. The participation of the Ukrainian Naval Forces in these large-scale exercises and their contributions are an important step toward further development and technological enhancement of the Defense Forces," noted Deputy Defense Minister Kateryna Chernohorenko.
Note:
REPMUS 24 exercises were organized by NATO's Joint Group of Maritime Unmanned Systems (JCGMUS), the NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), the Engineering Faculty of the University of Porto, and the European Defence Agency. The maritime maneuvers were conducted under the auspices of Portugal.
Among the objectives of the REPMUS 24 exercise are the integration of unmanned platforms, command and control (C2) systems, and inter-domain interaction, as well as achieving operational compatibility with the management systems of NATO partner countries.
