Joint training in combating mines, enemy ships and protecting critical infrastructure, but besides experiments with fresh unmanned vehicles. There were besides panels involving scientists and manufacturers. This was all included in the “REP(MUS)” exercise programme held in Portugal. Traditionally – with Polish participation.
Five sailors from the 13th Trailers Squadron went to Portugal. They took the autonomous with them. submarine Gavia. Their assignments were in the Atlantic close Sesimbra. – The approach track to the port was divided into 10 areas of 300 by 500 m. In each organizers they placed training mines that had to be found – explains Lt. Marcin Kleparski, 1 of the members of the Polish team.
Gavia went on missions daily, which lasted respective hours in total. She searched the area, recording advanced resolution images. Operators then analysed it in detail. At the same time they fished out alleged mine-like contacts, or objects with characteristics that brought to head the mine. Then Gavia one more time approached them from different sides so that sailors could sow random indications of the device. “We sent a study from our activities to CTU, the task force command,” says Lt. Mar. Kleparski. It besides determined who and how will carry out the final recognition of the objects on the list. In another words, he will find whether the underlying object is actually a mine or just something very akin to it.
– During the exercises we searched for mines in all 10 areas. Successfully – admits Lt. Mar. Kleparski. – The vehicle operated at depths up to 40 m, and in conditions completely different from those we deal with in the Baltic all day. The salinity of the Atlantic is greater, so the vehicle needs to be prepared for the mission in a somewhat different way. First of all, give him more weight,” explains the officer. He adds that the ‘REP(MUS)’ proved to be a valuable experience. “We do not always have the chance to act with specified intensity, and besides with the global group, exchanging insights and exploring the solutions utilized by allied navy,” says Lt. Mar. Kleparski.
In Portugal, not only miners practiced. There were besides specialists from water and flying drones. They carried out tasks related to patrolling shipping routes, combating enemy ships, and protecting underwater critical infrastructure. any of these activities were experimental. An example? As reported by the manufacture portal janes.com, the Portuguese navy carried out close the peninsula Troia test consisting in launching an autonomous vehicle from a Tridente submarine.
In addition to soldiers in the “REP(MUS) 24”, scientists and representatives of the arms manufacture have traditionally participated. In addition to maneuvers on the ocean, meetings, technological panels, workshops were besides held. James Appathurai, assistant secretary-general of NATO for innovation, hybrid threats and cybersecurity, spoke about the importance of specified cooperation. "The improvement of fresh unmanned systems will importantly improve the Alliance's situational awareness in the maritime domain, including underwater," he stressed.
In total, nearly 2,000 military and civilian from 30 countries participated in the ‘REP(MUS) '24’ exercise. The partners of the Alliance, including Ukraine, South Korea, Japan and Australia, were besides represented alongside the Natov countries in Portugal. The task was co-organised by NATO institutions, the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto and the European Defence Agency.
Poland has been participating in “REP(MUS)” for respective years. Polish sailors usage a full scope of autonomous submarines. specified systems are, for example, on board modern Kormoran II mine destroyers, introduced to service since 2017.
