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Dynamic Messenger 2025: NATO drives maritime innovation through Allied experimentation

NATO Allied Maritime Command

Sep 15 2025

Troia and Sesimbra, Portugal -- The multinational maritime exercise REPMUS/Dynamic Messenger 25 began off the Atlantic coast of Portugal 15 September, bringing together Allied nations, partners, academia and industry to advance the integration of unmanned systems and innovation.

The exercise combines REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned Systems) - the world's premier event for maritime robotics and unmanned technologies - with Dynamic Messenger (DYMS), part of NATO's continuous operational experimentation initiative. DYMS offers a realistic environment to test and evaluate new maritime capabilities, supporting NATO's drive to accelerate the delivery of innovative technology for Allied navies to sustain an operational advantage.

REPMUS/DYMS is hosted by the Portuguese Navy and co-organised by Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) and Allied Command Transformation (ACT), exemplifying the synergy between strategic transformation and operational effectiveness.

"By combining the REPMUS series with the operational environment of Dynamic Messenger, we reinforce the core objectives of both exercises while providing NATO, its Allies, and partners with a unique opportunity to explore the latest technological innovations and unmanned systems," said Spanish Navy Captain Julio Hernandez, the Assistant of Chief of Staff, Exercises at MARCOM.

More than 2,000 participants and around 260 systems from 22 Allied nations are involved, joined by observers from 13 more countries - including Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Estonia, Iraq, Latvia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, and South Korea - underscoring the depth of international cooperation.

This year's exercise REPMUS/DYMS25 will span multiple warfare domains, including the protection of critical undersea infrastructure, persistent organic surveillance, naval mine warfare, undersea warfare, countering multi-domain uncrewed vehicle and vessels, and integrated multi-domain command and control.

REPMUS/DYMS25 fosters engagement between operational communities, industry, and academia to accelerate the integration of Maritime Unmanned Systems (MUS) into NATO operations. Key stakeholders include the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto, the Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation, the NATO Joint Capability Group on Maritime Unmanned Systems, and the European Defence Agency.

Several innovators participating in the exercise are supported by NATO's Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), contributing to the development of technologies that enhance collective resilience.
Ships from Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) are taking part in the exercise, demonstrating the Alliance's commitment to maritime readiness and interoperability. Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) is the central command of all NATO maritime forces and the MARCOM Commander is the primary maritime advisor to the Alliance.

Story by Public Affairs Office at MARCOM