Participation of SABCA UAS in the NATO-REPMUS exercise hosted by the Portuguese Navy

A Strategic Collaboration with the Belgian Navy, Naval Group Belgium, RMA, UGENT

SABCA UAS recently joined a core team of Belgian partners in the REPMUS exercise (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Unmanned Systems) in Portugal, a major event organized under NATO’s coordination to test unmanned systems’ capabilities in a maritime context. Invited by the Belgian Navy, SABCA UAS took charge of the operation’s organization under the supervision of Naval Group Belgium and in close collaboration with the Portuguese Navy (Marinha), showcasing our commitment and expertise in unmanned aerial systems.

As key partners of the MCM Lab in Belgium, SABCA UAS, Naval Group Belgium, RMA (Royal Military Academy) and UGENT (Ghent University) combined their expertise to develop a cutting-edge payload designed for the detection of drifting mines. This fully Belgian solution was created in close collaboration with the Belgian Defense, particularly the Navy, emphasizing the national expertise, the strategic cooperation and the innovation capacity. The payload completely drone agnostic, is a testament to our commitment to deliver adaptable and state-of-the-art technology.

Upon our arrival in Portugal, the National Aeronautical Authority (AAN) conducted a comprehensive audit of SABCA’s procedures and verified the compliance of our drones. After a thorough inspection, the AAN gave the green light for operations to begin and extended congratulations for our team’s professionalism. This recognition from the AAN underscores our commitment to safety and quality, which are fundamental to success in such operational environments.

SABCA UAS in close collaboration with Naval Group Belgium also integrated advanced payloads developed by the Royal Military Academy (RMA) and Ghent University (UGENT) into our drones, adding further detection and surveillance capabilities. Naval Group Belgium bring its strong expertise related to the detection of drifting mines, a strategic innovation axis for navies. This technological integration was made possible thanks to meticulous preparation undertaken months before the exercise, ensuring optimal performance in the field.

All the partners conducted 157 flights, totaling an impressive 1,995 minutes, or 33.25 hours of flight time. A highlight of the exercise was the visit of Admiral Henrique Gouveia e Melo, who personally commended SABCA UAS, Naval Group Belgium, RMA, and UGENT for the promising results achieved and for the professionalism of the teams. This positive feedback reinforces our position as a trusted partner and demonstrates how SABCA UAS’s innovation and expertise contribute to NATO’s strategic maritime security objectives.

SABCA UAS is honored by this recognition and by our collaboration with top-tier partners. We thank the Belgian Navy, the Portuguese Navy, and all our partners for their support, and we look forward to continuing to innovate in unmanned aerial systems while strengthening our strategic alliances.

Source : SABCA