For the first time, the Ukrainian Navy participated in NATO's largest exercises involving unmanned systems in maritime operations — REPMUS 24. Using the DELTA combat system, Ukrainian forces coordinated the operation of over 50 unmanned vehicles of various types — underwater, surface, ground, and aerial.

During the exercises, DELTA was also able to connect and receive data on the location of the German "robot dog" Robotics-L by Rheinmetall. Thanks to its mobility, this four-legged robot is capable of accompanying soldiers in difficult terrain, performing various tasks, and aiding in their protection from mines.

The exercises took place near the Troia Peninsula in Portugal from September 9 to 27. The military practiced the use of drones for such tasks as combating submarines, neutralizing naval mines, and protecting critical underwater infrastructure.

During the training, the DELTA system integrated with other combat systems, allowing for data exchange and distinguishing between "friends" and "foes". This significantly improved operation management and increased coordination among participants of the maneuvers.

"A number of NATO events involving Ukraine this year demonstrate how valuable our military's innovative developments are to Western partners. Joint maneuvers with NATO, like REPMUS 24, not only facilitate experience sharing but also enhance cooperation between Ukraine and our partners. The Ukrainian Navy’s participation in these large-scale exercises and their contribution is an important step for the further development and technological advancement of the Defense Forces," said Deputy Defense Minister Kateryna Chernohorenko.

Background:

The REPMUS 24 exercises were organized by NATO's Joint Capability Group on Maritime Unmanned Systems (JCGMUS), the NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Porto, and the European Defence Agency. The maritime maneuvers were held under the auspices of Portugal.

Among the objectives of REPMUS 24 are the integration of unmanned platforms, command and control (C2) systems, cross-domain interaction, and achieving operational interoperability with the command systems of NATO partner countries.