NATO advances maritime innovation and readiness through Exercise Dynamic Messenger 2025
NATO Allied Maritime Command
Sep 29 2025
Troia and Sesimbra, Portugal -- NATO advanced the integration of unmanned systems into a connected operational environment with the successful completion of REPMUS/Dynamic Messenger 25 in Portugal.
This year's exercise combined 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 Operational Experimentation series - offered a realistic environment to test and evaluate new maritime capabilities, supporting NATO's drive to modernise its naval forces and sustain an operational advantage.
REPMUS/DYMS was 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.
Operational demonstrations during this year's exercise spanned multiple warfare domains, including the protection of critical undersea infrastructure, persistent organic ISR-T, naval mine warfare, underwater warfare, countering multi-domain unmanned vehicles and vessels, and integrated multi-domain command and control.
Spanish Navy Captain Julio Hernandez, the Assistant Chief of Staff for Exercises at MARCOM said REPMUS and Dynamic Messenger 25 showcased the power of collaboration.
Throughout the exercise, tactics, techniques and procedures were thoroughly tested to refine NATO's doctrinal framework. By improving the detection and tracking of multi-domain uncrewed vehicles and vessels, the exercise strengthened NATO's ability to conduct unit self-defence and neutralize emerging threats.
Both Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) and Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 2 (SNMCMG2) played a significant role in the exercise, demonstrating the Alliance's commitment to the integration of MUS across force and command structures.
Several naval units - including SNMG1 and SNMCMG2 - rehearsed defending against UAV and USV drones, simulating attacks from the air and the sea. These threats can be difficult to detect, and each drill further sharpens NATO's edge, turning today's challenges into tomorrow's operational readiness.
The Commander of SNMG1, Commodore Arjen S. Warnaar, Royal Netherlands Navy,
said by participating in Dynamic Messenger 25, the task group is helping to explore the future of naval warfare.
"By experimenting with unmanned systems alongside industry and our NATO allies, we accelerate innovation and strengthen collective readiness for the challenges of tomorrow's battlespace," said Warnaar.
During the naval mine warfare phase of DYMS, a French Explosive Ordnance Disposal diver team tested the A9-M Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), built for mine countermeasures, seabed surveys, and underwater reconnaissance. They also trialed the Pivot Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), combining AUV seabed surveys with ROV inspections to identify potential threats, while sonar data was analysed ashore.
This year, the exercise exceeded expectations, with attendance soaring to around 3,800 participants, with 260 systems from 22 nations involved. They were joined by observers from another 13 countries - including Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Estonia, Iraq, Latvia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, and South Korea - underscoring the depth of international cooperation.
REPMUS/DYMS25 fostered engagement between operational communities, industry, and academia to accelerate the integration of Maritime Unmanned Systems (MUS) into NATO operations. Key stakeholders included 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.
For the first time in NATO's history, Ukraine's Navy led and coordinated the Opposing Force (OPFOR) during REPMUS/DYMS 2025 - an historic milestone that underscores Ukraine's growing role in NATO exercises. The training highlighted modern maritime warfare trends, particularly the use of unmanned systems for coordinated strikes and rapid threat response. In this strategic step forward, Ukraine's leadership brought combat realism to the exercise, driving innovation and the development of new NATO tactics.
Supported by MARCOM, the Portuguese navy and the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre (JATEC), this collaboration enhanced interoperability, accelerated the adoption of new technologies, and enhanced Allied readiness. For Ukraine, it formalised its contribution to NATO operations; for NATO, it provided invaluable lessons from Ukraine's frontline experience, driving development of new capabilities to counter real-world threats.
NATO's Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) played a key role in the exercise by introducing advanced, data-focused capabilities. For the first time, CMRE deployed a dedicated 'Data Mesh' - an infrastructure for data governance, sharing, and cataloguing that served as the central hub for all information collected during the event. The exercise also tested the Mainsail system, which proved effective in fusing data to provide early alerts of potential sabotage near Critical Underwater Infrastructure (CUI).
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.
Dynamic Messenger highlights NATO's drive to accelerate the adoption of innovative technologies that strengthen the Alliance's operational advantage. For NATO Maritime, the exercise reflects a clear commitment to innovation, integration, and maintaining the readiness needed to meet today's security challenges at sea.
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
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