Lisbon, Aug. 31, 2026 (Lusa) - The Portuguese Navy is organising, from Monday, the largest international exercise in robotics and unmanned vehicles, REPMUS, which will run until 25 September in the Setubal region, with over 1,500 participants.
In a press release, the Navy states that the 16th edition of REPMUS – ‘Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned Systems' – will once again take place in Troia and Sesimbra.
This year, the exercise – described by the Navy as the world's largest in this field – will involve over 1,500 participants from 36 navies, more than 60 research and development companies, 13 universities and five NATO bodies linked to maritime operations and unmanned maritime systems, commonly known as drones.
More than 300 unmanned maritime systems will also be involved, supported by 14 ships, according to the Navy.
The exercises and demonstrations will take place at the Navy's Operational Experimentation Centre and the Infante D. Henrique Technology Free Zone, «covering an area of over 400 square nautical miles, equivalent to more than 1,370 square kilometres».
Throughout REPMUS 2026, «unmanned technologies and systems designed to operate in the various environments that characterise the maritime domain, including surface, subsurface, aerial and land-based assets» will be tested.
This exercise will enable the testing of «new capabilities and concepts, promoting collaboration between the armed forces, industry, academia and international organisations», explains the Navy.
Unmanned vehicles, commonly known as drones, can be used in a wartime context but not exclusively so; they are also useful for maritime surveillance, the protection of critical subsea infrastructure (such as the submarine cables crossing the Atlantic Ocean), and search and rescue missions.
The 16th edition of REPMUS is organised by the Portuguese Navy, in conjunction with the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Porto, the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation, the NATO Joint Capability Group Maritime Unmanned Systems and the European Defence Agency.
ARL/AYLS // AYLS
Lusa
