Seabed Security 2026 will take place on 13-14 October 2026 at the Design Hotel, Tróia, Portugal, bringing together senior military, government, and industry representatives operating in the underwater space to examine the protection of critical undersea infrastructure amid increasing seabed activity.
As undersea infrastructure becomes increasingly important to national security, economic stability, and public safety, the event will focus on the current threat context for undersea infrastructure, as well as the technologies and strategies being developed to protect it. Discussions will cover the evolving threat landscape, subsea defense strategies and technologies, underwater monitoring, threat detection, and the use of advanced sensing and uncrewed maritime systems.
Image credit: Defence iQ Seabed Security
Held in association with REPMUS26, the conference will deliver insights and lessons learned from what is described as NATO’s largest unmanned maritime systems exercise.
The event also forms part of Defence iQ’s Unified Maritime Experience, alongside Maritime ISR, Surface Warships, and Uncrewed Naval Systems, giving delegates access to wider maritime defense discussions, live exhibitions, and complementary operational perspectives within one venue.
When is Seabed Security 2026?
Seabed Security 2026 is scheduled to take place from 13-14 October 2026.
Delegates are encouraged to register before Friday, 26 June 2026 to secure an early booking discount of €400.
Themes
The conference agenda will examine the current threat context for undersea infrastructure, alongside the technologies and approaches being developed to improve seabed security.
Themes include underwater monitoring and threat detection, uncrewed and autonomous maritime systems, mine countermeasure technologies, sensing capabilities, infrastructure provision and maintenance, and the integration of new technologies into maritime operations.
Discussions will also address lessons learned from REPMUS 2025 and engagement between military, government, industry, energy, and policy stakeholders involved in protecting critical undersea infrastructure.
Image credit: Defence iQ Seabed Security
What’s On?
The two-day program will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, industry insight sessions, themed speaking tracks, and networking events involving stakeholders from across the maritime and underwater sectors.
Attendees will have access to operational case studies, lessons learned from REPMUS 2025, and opportunities to engage with military, government, industry, and research representatives operating within the underwater domain.
Joint Maritime Conference
Seabed Security 2026 will take place alongside Uncrewed Naval Systems, Maritime ISR, and Surface Warships as part of the Joint Maritime Conference in Tróia, Portugal.
Delegates will have opportunities to engage with senior leaders, technologists, and industry representatives across maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, seabed security, naval defence, and autonomous maritime technologies.
Exhibition Space
An on-site exhibition area will showcase technologies and capabilities relevant to seabed security and underwater operations. Areas of focus include uncrewed and autonomous systems, mine countermeasure technologies, data systems for undersea capabilities, sensing technologies, and infrastructure provision and maintenance solutions.
Networking Opportunities
The event will include networking receptions, networking breaks, and interactive sessions involving military, government, industry, and research stakeholders from across the maritime and underwater sectors.
Speakers
The 2026 speaker lineup includes senior representatives from NATO and allied naval organizations, as well as experts from industry and subsea infrastructure sectors.
- Vice Admiral Robert M. Gaucher, Submarine Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager (Submarine Czar), US Navy
- Rear Admiral Tanguy Botman, Chief of Navy, Belgian Navy
- Rear Admiral Kelly C. Ward, Commander, Task Force 66, US Navy
- Rear Admiral Giulio Cappelletti, Director of the Operational Structure of the National Underwater Dimension Hub, Italian Navy
- Captain Robert Watt, Director of Naval Strategy, Royal Canadian Navy
- Captain (N) Mette Stab-Johansen, Chief of Operations and Planning, Royal Danish Navy
- Captain Serdar Tombul, Concept Development and Experimentation Branch Head, NATO Maritime GEOMETOC Centre of Excellence
- Alasdair Wilkie, Chairman, European Subsea Cables Association
Where is Seabed Security 2026?
Design Hotel
Tróia
Portugal
To learn more about Seabed Security 2026, to register to attend or exhibit, please click below .
