22 - 23 January, 2025
| Copthorne Tara London Kensington, London, UK
WEDNESDAY 22 JANUARY 2025 | SURFACE WARSHIPS
8:00 - 8:45
MORNING REGISTRATION & COFFEE
8:45 - 9:00
CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS
9:00 - 9:30
HOST NATION ADDRESS: INCREASING READINESS RATES FOR 2025
- Potential for Carrier Strike Group (CSG) Deployment to the Indo-Pacific: emphasising the importance of this area for global security and the Navy’s role in maintaining stability.
- Bolstering Collective Security and Deterrence: efforts to strengthen partnerships against emerging global threats
- Ongoing efforts to integrate cutting-edge technologies and modernise naval capabilities to enhance effectiveness in future operations
9:30 - 10:00
STRIKFORNATO: ENHANCING INTEROPERABILITY
Rear Admiral Craig Wood CBE -
Deputy Commander,
Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO)
- Addressing full-spectrum security challenges from state and non-state actors & conducting asymmetric operations below conventional conflict thresholds
- Mission and Roles: STRIKFORNATO’s priorities in planning and executing joint maritime operations, integrating allied naval forces
- NATO’s maritime capabilities: lessons learned from BALTOPS Exercise
Rear Admiral Craig Wood CBE
Deputy CommanderNaval Striking and Support Forces NATO (STRIKFORNATO)
10:30 - 11:00
THE CRITICAL ROLE OF NAVAL FORCE READINESS AND THE FUTURE OF AMPHIBIOUS WARFARE CAPABILITIES
- A look ahead at the next three years: The U.S. Navy's strategic vision for delivering a versatile and responsive maritime force.
- Ensuring a fully equipped fleet: Key shipbuilding plans and strategies for addressing operational challenges to maintain naval superiority and global response readiness.
11:00 - 11:30
MORNING COFFEE AND NETWORKING
11:30 - 12:00
TYPE 31 FRIGATE PROGRAMME: ADDRESSING PERSONNEL CHALLENGES & ENABLING ADAPTABLE CAPABILITY
Commander Christoper Cozens -
Senior Naval Officer to HMS VENTURER First of Class T31 Frigate,
Royal Navy
Commander Jim Weapon Hyde - Engineer Officer, HMS VENTURER, First of the Class T31 Frigate, Royal Navy
- Capability & Adaptability: employing new systems and the potential to scale up capability
- Crewing, Training & Force Generation: utilising technologies to augment traditional methods of crewing and automate
Commander Christoper Cozens
Senior Naval Officer to HMS VENTURER First of Class T31 FrigateRoyal Navy
Commander Jim Weapon Hyde
Engineer OfficerHMS VENTURER, First of the Class T31 Frigate, Royal Navy
12:00 - 12:30
THE ROYAL NETHERLANDS NAVY’S REPLACEMENT & MODERNISATION PROGRAMME
Francesco Jose Espinal -
Program Director,
Navantia
- Increase readiness
- Enlarge agility of the force
- Improve combat power
12:30 - 13:00
ROYAL NAVY ACQUISITION: SHIPS SUPPORT ARRANGEMENTS
- Marine Systems Transformation (MaST) programme and the Royal Navy’s priorities enhancing the operational readiness of the Royal Navy’s fleet through improved engagement with SMEs.
- Delivering equipment services to support the Royal Navy’s fleet of ships
13:00 - 14:00
NETWORKING LUNCH
14:00 - 14:30
THE EVOLUTIONS & THE RECENT OPERATIONS OF THE FRENCH STRIKE FORCE
Rear Admiral Yannick Bossu -
Deputy Commander,
French Strike Force (FRSTRIKEFOR)
- Advanced Systems and Weapons: lessons learned from previous and current OPS and advanced combat systems such as electronic warfare capabilities and radar
- Building and consolidating the ability to integrate and operate with partners in Indian Ocean and increase proficiency through enhanced training
- Message of Deterrence: Dealing with evolving threats and deployment under NATO command to support international operations
14:40 - 15:10
THE ITALIAN NAVY’S ADVANCEMENTS IN SHIP DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
- Naval Power Projection: Enhancing capabilities with the F-35B on the Cavour aircraft carrier, optimizing operational efficiency and combat effectiveness.
- Automation and Reduced Crew: Investing in autonomous systems and uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.
Advanced Defense Systems: Integrating Dual-Band Multi-Function Radar and advanced anti-submarine warfare systems to enhance survivability and counter advanced threats
15:40 - 16:10
AFTERNOON COFFEE AND NETWORKING BREAK
16:10 - 16:40
RESHAPING NAVAL WARFARE: COMPLEMENTING TODAY’S MINES BY EMPLOYING ADVANCED MINE TECHNOLOGY
- Addressing the threat posed by drifting mines in the Black Sea and preventing damage to commercial ships
- Exercise Sea Breeze: enhancing interoperability and maritime capabilities and lessons learnt
MCM BLACK SEA Task Group: Active MCM operations by Turkey Romania and Bulgaria to protect waters and strategies deployed
· Industry to support navies in embracing technological change
16:40 - 17:10
PANEL DISCUSSION: MAKING SEAS SAFE: THE ROLE OF AUTONOMOUS VESSELS IN MINE-HUNTING
- Investing in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) to support autonomous mine-hunting vessels
- Enhancing situational awareness for naval forces through integrated autonomous systems
What are some practical applications of unmanned surface vessels and can they support complex maritime operations?
