Ukraine Leads NATO Maritime Exercise, pioneering Innovation in Unmanned Systems
Portugal – In a historic first for the Alliance, the Ukrainian Navy took the lead in planning, coordinating, and commanding simulated adversary forces (OPFOR) during the recent REPMUS/Dynamic Messenger 25 (DYMS) exercises held in Portugal.
The Ukrainian Defense ministry reports the exercises, designed to test the operational capabilities of two dozen NATO member countries, were conducted with the support of NATO Maritime Command (MARCOM), the Portuguese Navy, and the Joint NATO-Ukraine Center for Analysis, Training and Education (JATEC).
REPMUS/DYMS 2025 focused on cutting-edge maritime warfare techniques, particularly the integrated use of unmanned systems for swift responses to threats and rapid strikes. The Ukrainian-led operation fostered strong collaboration between ukrainian simulated forces and partner nations participating as OPFOR, resulting in a triumphant demonstration of joint capabilities.
This year’s event combined REPMUS, a leading global event for maritime robotics and unmanned technologies, with DYMS, a key component of NATO’s operational exercise series.
“By leading the opposing team, Ukraine not only participated, but was a driving force for innovation, directly strengthening NATO’s maritime resilience and shaping the future of collective security,” stated Brigadier General Wojciech Ozga, Commander of JATEC. “JATEC is proud to contribute to this essential progress.”
Notably,the exercises saw unmanned platforms successfully integrated into the DELTA combat system utilized by Ukrainian forces.
The event brought together naval forces, research institutions, and companies from 26 partner countries, alongside representatives from NATO Maritime Command Northwood, the NATO Center for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE), the University of Porto’s Laboratory of Underwater systems and Technologies (LSTS), and the NATO Maritime Unmanned Systems Initiative (MUSI).
(Photo: Ministry of Defense)
