Autonomous Aerial Vehicles
Discover cutting-edge solutions from 16 leading global suppliers
Defence IQ will host the Uncrewed & Autonomous Systems 2025 conference (3–4 December 2025, Copthorne Tara Hotel, London, UK), bringing together military operators and science and technology leaders to define the future of uncrewed ground and aerial systems.
As the global security landscape evolves at unprecedented speed, demand for smarter, faster, and more resilient defence technologies continues to rise. The full agenda is now available, offering delegates a chance to explore the sessions, speakers, and topics that will shape the discussion.
View the agenda and speaker lineup >>
Recent defence developments underscore the urgency of this conversation. BAE Systems’ new partnership with Forterra aims to compress traditional development timelines by fast-tracking an autonomous version of the US Army’s Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle, demonstrating how industry collaboration can accelerate operational capability.
At the same time, the US Army has committed nearly US$6 billion to counter-uncrewed aerial systems and UAS programmes, including a US$5 billion award to Raytheon for its Coyote interceptor system. These initiatives reflect a defence environment where autonomy, rapid prototyping, and integrated countermeasures are no longer future ambitions but immediate priorities, the very issues that will shape the debate at this year’s conference.
The event will feature senior leaders with first-hand experience driving these transformations, including:
- Brigadier General Michael B. Janisch, Director of the Austrian Armed Forces’ Armaments and Defence Technology Agency, offering insight into European capability development.
- Colonel Simon Pope, Commander of the UK MoD’s UAS Group, sharing lessons from operational deployment and force integration.
- Ross McKenzie, UAS Portfolio Lead at NATO, highlighting alliance-wide initiatives.
- Colonel Brian Merkl, Division Chief for Unmanned Systems at the US Army, providing a US perspective on scaling innovation at pace.
- Paul Clayton, Director of Industrial Partnerships at Milrem Robotics, representing industry efforts to advance uncrewed ground systems.
The programme will focus on:
- Operational integration of UGVs and UAS in real-world missions
- AI, autonomy and digital infrastructure as the backbone of uncrewed systems
- Allied cooperation, interoperability and standardisation for future force design
Collocated with Defence iQ’s Defence Transformation conference, Uncrewed & Autonomous Systems 2025 will welcome more than 250 international defence leaders, offering a unique opportunity to connect with decision-makers and accelerate collaborative innovation.
Interested participants are encouraged to secure their place early, as interest continues to build across the global defence community.
If you’re interested in showcasing your company’s solutions at Uncrewed & Autonomous Systems 2025, there are opportunities for speaking, branding, and exhibiting through Defence IQ’s strategic sponsorship packages.
