Portuguese President António José Seguro has called for technologies developed in Portugal to serve both civilian and military purposes, during a visit to the country's flagship naval robotics exercise off the coast of Sesimbra.
President sets dual-use direction at REPMUS
Speaking at the 16th edition of REPMUS — the Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned Systems exercise — the head of state said systems with military applications should also drive innovation and economic growth. The annual NATO-backed event, running from 31 August to 25 September 2026, is the world's largest for unmanned maritime robotics.
The Portuguese Navy co-organises the exercise alongside the University of Porto's engineering faculty, the NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation, and the European Defence Agency. This year's edition brought together more than 4,000 participants, 36 navies, and over 130 companies — 25 of them Portuguese.
German manufacturer tests new maritime drones in Portuguese waters
Quantum Systems, a German company already supplying autonomous systems to Ukraine, chose the exercise to launch its first maritime platforms. Two new vehicles — the Seavex surface drone and Subvex underwater drone — are undergoing sea trials in Sesimbra throughout September.
The Seavex is an uncrewed surface vessel designed to stay at sea for up to two months on reconnaissance missions. It carries AI-based data processing, surveillance radar, and anti-drone sensors. The vessel also acts as a mobile hub: it can launch and recover aerial drones, plus anchor, recharge and extract data from underwater vehicles.
The Subvex operates autonomously at depths of up to 6,000 metres, equipped with sonar and acoustic sensors. It can run for four days in active mode, or spend several weeks in passive surveillance on the seabed. Both systems integrate with Quantum Systems' MOSAIC UXS software, which coordinates air, land and maritime drones from a single architecture.
Portuguese-made drones reach operational milestones
The exercise also highlighted advances from domestic manufacturers. The Portuguese Air Force received its first AR5 drones from Tekever in August 2026, part of a €7.8 million investment for maritime surveillance of the country's Exclusive Economic Zone. The Portugal-based company, valued at €5.6 billion after a recent funding round, supplies surveillance drones to Ukraine and secured a UK Ministry of Defence contract worth up to £400 million over ten years.
Beyond Vision, another Portuguese firm, saw its military-specification drones deployed to Slovakia in June 2026 for operational testing within NATO's 4th National Deployed Force. The company exports 95% of its production and plans a €50 million factory in the United States.
The Portuguese Army, meanwhile, has begun forming specialised drone and anti-drone units. In March 2026, it successfully tested a "loitering munition" — a drone capable of loitering, tracking targets, and striking — at the Santa Margarida military field during the multinational artillery exercise Strong Impact 2026.
Defence sector becomes innovation engine
The President's remarks at REPMUS underscored a strategic shift: Portugal wants technologies developed for defence to generate civilian spinoffs and export revenue. The country participates in three of five European Commission defence projects, covering drones, air defence and maritime security.
Portugal and Ukraine have also signed an agreement for the joint production of underwater drones. The Iberian Defense Expo will take place in Portalegre from 22 to 25 September 2027, focusing on defence, security and dual-use technologies. A Malaysian company has expressed interest in investing up to €20 million in drone production in the same region.
The Navy, working with the National Innovation Agency, has established the "Infante D. Henrique" Technology Free Zone — a regulatory sandbox for civil innovation that doubles as an open-water defence testing ground. NATO has integrated the site into its DIANA innovation accelerator network.
