Enabling Naval Power with Technology for Next Generation Surface Combatants
Nations across the globe are in a transitional period, where many of their surface fleets are ageing out of service and in need of replacement. With the inevitable need for surface fleet modernisation, nations are actively assessing different ways to update their surface fleets to meet the changing requirements of an evolving threat environment. Amongst these challenges are the long lead times involved in shipbuilding and ensuring that warships keep pace with technological advancement. Discourse surrounding the hybrid fleet concept and integrating uncrewed naval systems with warships are becoming more and more prominent.
This transitional period coincides with a time when the Euro-Atlantic alliance is edging closer to war, with rising tensions with Russia and China. Some have even argued that this is the nearest we have come to war involving a NATO partner in our lifetime. Many conflicts are already spilling into the maritime domain, and changing the face of surface warfare, as seen with Ukraine's successful use of drone warfare against Russia in the Black Sea. The role of surface warfare in protecting critical undersea infrastructure and international trade cannot be disputed, as seen in the Red Sea conflict. Aside from current ongoing conflicts, grey zone activity in areas like the Arctic, are indicators that such regions might potentially be the stage for the playing out of great competition. As a result, navies are looking to build surface warships that can operate in a variety of conditions, including extreme cold weather.
With an ever-evolving threat landscape, where hybrid warfare is being enlisted, warship technology has evolved to solve these newer challenges that navies are facing. Nations are looking to enhance warships with autonomous, AI and ML- powered technologies. With the ongoing digital transformation taking place in the maritime domain, the biggest technological advancements may not be in platforms but rather the digital arena. Programs like the Royal Navy's Project CABOT are a great indicator of this.
Recognising the need for navies to tackle this new security landscape, the Surface Warships conference returns on 6th - 7th October 2026, London, UK. Bringing together military leaders, decision makers and experts from across the naval ecosystem to find solutions to the most pressing challenges in building, maintaining and deploying surface warships in today's environment.
Join us in London to hear from the senior military leaders, naval decision makers and industry experts shaping future surface fleets!
Why Attend Surface Warships 2026?
Gain access to a truly international speaker line up with perspectives from navies from across: the UK, US, Europe, Canada, Asia, Africa, Oceania
Get updates on key programs that are in the concept phase from the managers and heads leading the innovation.
Discuss the role of surface warfare and combatant ships in dettering and defending the Euro-Atlantic region (including the Arctic and Black Sea) and other regions like the Red Sea
Hear from experts on how uncrewed systems are being integrated with combatant ships for the enhancement of surface fleets in a modern battlefield
Towards a More Powerful but Cheaper and Simpler Fleet: Get an understanding of the the UK’s recent Strategic Defence Review and it’s impact on the UK’s surface fleet and the wider industry
Great that speakers came from so many locations
Excellent speakers, with broad experience over different topics
I thought the quality of the speakers was excellent and the way they were grouped together created a lot of synergy. I have been to 3 Surface Warships events it is an outstanding opportunity to interact with counterparts from a wide range of navies and industry
Good cross section of subjects and speakers achieved this year. Very useful for keeping abreast of programme developments in other Navies
