REPMUS25 NATO exercise – PORTUGAL – DEFENCE SPOTLIGHT

How Innovation, Geography, and Government Backing are Turning Portugal into a Defence-Tech Leader

BY WILLIAM LUXTON

In early September, CDR accepted an invitation from the Portuguese Trade and Investment Agency (AICEP) to gain extensive access to several of its member companies and research institutions. This invitation aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of Portugal’s rapid evolution into a leading centre of technological innovation in civilian and military applications coincided with NATO Exercise REPMUS25. Here is our report.

Portugal is rapidly emerging as an international hub of high-tech innovation in the aeronautics, space, and defence sectors. This makes the country an attractive option for companies and NATO militaries seeking to benefit from the expertise of Portuguese engineers and cutting-edge research facilities.

The Portuguese aerospace industry employs over 18,500 people and exports more than 90% of its production. Its geographic location, placing it close to other hubs in Spain, France, and Italy, and its location facing the Atlantic Ocean, readily connects Europe to the North American continent.

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CDR’s tour commenced on September 8th at the Portuguese Navy Operational Experimentation Centre in Tróia, coinciding with the first day of the REPMUS 25 NATO exercise.

REPMUS is a multi-week exercise that showcases one of the world’s largest multinational naval technology demonstrations. The primary focus of REPMUS is robotic experimentation and prototyping using maritime uncrewed systems (MUS).

The exercise encompassed advanced maritime technologies, autonomous vehicles, floating laboratories, multinational collaborative exercises, and the infrastructure that underpins Portugal’s leadership in naval innovation and operational experimentation.

PORTUGUESE NAVY OPERATIONAL EXPERIMENTATION CENTRE (CEOM)

The Portuguese Navy Operational Experimentation Centre (CEOM) has hosted the REPMUS exercises near the Tróia peninsula and Setúbal Bay in Portugal, since 2010. Captain Nuno Ribeiro serves as the Chief of Staff for the exercise and the Director of the CEOM. “The figures have been steadily increasing annually. Last year, 37 countries participated, compared to 30 the year before. Furthermore, the number of uncrewed systems has significantly increased, from 106 last year to 263 this year.”

The key themes of the exercise revolve around emerging technologies, real-time data exchange and interoperability testing, and the coordination between live naval assets and autonomous platforms.

“Our mission is to provide facilities for the experimental activities of military and non-military users. We operate in a free technology zone, which allows us to conduct experimentation activities where regulatory bodies typically prohibit such activities elsewhere. In this environment, users can experiment with UAVs, USVs, or UOVs, creating a platform where they can challenge the maturities of their systems within the NATO environment,” said Captain Nuno Ribeiro

Two companies participating in REPMUS 25 were Beyond Vision and UAVision.

BEYOND VISION

Beyond Vision is a drone manufacturer specializing in fully autonomous uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) and hybrid Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) platforms. Their drones are powered by advanced artificial intelligence and integrated cloud management, with applications spanning military, industrial, and research sectors.

“We did not initially establish ourselves as a defence company,” said Dário Pedro, CEO of Beyond Vision. “We have been developing for the defence sector for four years, and it is undoubtedly the fastest-growing sector for autonomous vehicles in the present day.”

Beyond Vision conducted a comprehensive evaluation of seven aerial drones during the REPMUS 25 exercise. This evaluation includes a VTOL drone equipped with fixed wings, a multi-rotor drone capable of carrying up to a 7KG payload of either supplies or ordinance for tactical missions, and a range of other products and systems that have already received NATO certification.

“Currently, we have over 100 items with NATO stock numbers by NATO military units, including the navy and the Portuguese army. This collaboration significantly facilitates our outreach to other NATO allies,” Dário Pedro told CDR.

Although Beyond Vision is not currently offering any of its products or systems to Canada, the CEO expressed keen interest in monitoring the evolving defence spending trends in Canada and exploring potential avenues for tailoring their products to meet Canadian requirements in the future.

UAVISION

UAVISION, another drone manufacturer participating in REPMUS 25, provides a comprehensive portfolio of military-grade UAVs tailored for maritime, tactical surveillance, and strike roles. UAVISION actively supports Portuguese defence and NATO allied missions.

“Our journey into this industry commenced 20 years ago, and a substantial portion of our development has been focused on establishing an association with the Portuguese Armed Forces and their specific requirements,” said Nuno Simões, CEO of UAVISION.

UAVISION’s SPYRO GS hybrid VTOL system is currently in service with the Portuguese Navy and Air Force. It boasts an impressive flight time of up to two hours, fully integrated with naval and air tactical systems. Currently, upgrades are underway to extend the operational range of their drones, enabling them to cover vast stretches of water.

During REPMUS testing, a single operator is responsible for controlling ten drones simultaneously, while in other missions, AI-controlled drones operate autonomously.

The development of fully autonomous systems holds paramount importance, as Portugal, like Canada, grapples with a critical shortage of military personnel.

“We have a common problem here. Until now, you have an operating crew on board Navy vessels, and now we are removing this crew. We are using our communications and everything is being centralized,” Simões concluded.

EID

EID is a global leader in advanced military communications, providing command and control communication systems that enable militaries to securely transfer and manage data, voice communication, and IT within a secure environment.

CDR had the opportunity to speak with Gregory Flippes, Director of Marketing and Sales at EIC, about their systems. “Our strength lies in our ability to integrate all types of radios, from legacy to new-generation radios, which also allows us to manage interoperability with other forces. This is the core of what our products enable.”

Their communications hardware is in use throughout military forces, both at sea between ships and their command posts on land, submarine communications, and on land between military vehicles and a new highly compact wearable radio system called “Dismounted Soldier.” To date, Portugal has taken delivery of approximately 1,500 of these units.

“The feedback we have received from operations is that the system is lightweight, reliable, and can easily be connected to the vehicles of the Portuguese army,” Flippes told CDR. “It is a system that is well-liked by the Portuguese army.”

EID’s clients include armed forces and defence contractors from the Portuguese, UK, Dutch, Spanish, Belgian, and UAE navies; the Brazilian Armed Forces; major European shipyards and other defence companies.

CRITICAL SOFTWARE

Military-grade systems rely on sophisticated software algorithms to ensure the security and resilience of transmissions and their effective role in military operations. Critical Software is an international technology company specializing in trusted technology solutions for aerospace, defence, and civilian sectors.

“We are a service company that collaborates with numerous partners,” said Rodrigo Pascoal, the company’s Business Development Manager. “Due to national autonomy considerations, we have been commissioned to provide solutions for the Portuguese armed forces.”

The company’s software offers solutions that integrate from a tactical perspective, encompassing communication distribution to force tasking.

The company’s algorithms, developed jointly with the BEAST consortium, enable the identification of movement patterns from surveillance operations. These algorithms utilize artificial intelligence pattern recognition to discern activities, such as troop or equipment movements within the battle space.

The company has established several Canadian clients across diverse sectors.

“We collaborate with Canadian companies across rail, aviation, and defence sectors. We have developed a range of tailored solutions and intend to continue our partnership with Canadian companies like Lockheed Martin Canada and are eager to participate in the development of the combat management system,” Pascoal told CDR.

Critical Software has received its Mission Proven Certification from the Portuguese Navy following extensive testing and this year’s exercise at REPMUS.

ADYTA

Encryption of sensitive communications is a crucial component in both military and civilian contexts.

ADYTA, a Portuguese company founded in 2015 as a spin-off from the University of Porto, specializes in cybersecurity and encrypted communications solutions. Their flagship product, Adyta.Phone, is a secure communication application developed exclusively in Portugal. It offers end-to-end encrypted voice calls and text messaging for iOS and Android platforms.

“Our primary product is a secure communication application with dual-use technology,” said Carlos Carvalho, CEO of ADYTA. “This means it can be utilized by both civilians and militaries. Notably, it is the only communications application certified by our national security agency, the Portuguese National Security Office.”

Carvalho also highlights a pivotal distinction between ADYTA’s app and other secure communications applications. Adyta.Phone does not collect or store any user data. This additional layer of privacy is paramount for users when discussing sensitive civilian company information or in the military context, such as operational plans. Notably, the company generates its revenue from operating as a subscription-based service.

Adyta.Phone has gained widespread adoption, including among the Portuguese Navy and Air Force. A specialized version of the technology is currently in development for underwater communications between submarines and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs).

AVP

AVP is a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility that specializes in legacy components. Their primary focus is on performing work on automatic pilots, gyro systems, navigation and communication equipment, mechanical, and electronic instruments. AVP’s global clientele encompasses the Portuguese, Spanish, German, English, Thai, and Swedish navies, as well as SAAB, Sweden’s leading defence company.

Bruno Morais, the CEO of AVP, explains, “We are a repair station for SAAB systems. We support driver systems for them, as the manufacturer has ceased to support their equipment. Consequently, we contract with them to reverse the technology and engineering process with their own products.”

In addition to its primary services, AVP also caters to international clients, including F-16, Alpha Jets, and F-4 pilots. This unique approach sets AVP apart from other MRO companies, making it the preferred choice for legacy equipment manufacturers that no longer support their products.

BEYOND COMPOSITE

While ensuring that military communications are encrypted and secure is a vital part of operations, it is the physical security of military vehicles and personnel that is paramount.

The innovative engineering company Beyond Composite specializes in the design and production of advanced composite materials under the name “CompactShield”. They produce armour plating to go on the exteriors of armoured personnel, vehicles, and other mobile military assets. In the field of personal protection, they develop ultra-lightweight ballistic helmets, ballistic plates for body armour, and ballistic shields.

“Our mission is simple yet essential: to save lives,” said Fernando Cunha, Beyond Composite CEO. “Our materials are state-of-the-art, designed to provide the same level of ballistic protection at a much lighter weight compared to traditional steel plating. We operate across land, sea, and air domains, delivering customized solutions tailored to each client’s operational needs.”

Their materials fully comply with NATO standards, particularly the STANAG certifications, which validate the effectiveness and reliability of ballistic protection solutions. “We are also developing an innovative surface technology, currently patent pending, which enables the production of composite-ceramic and composite-metal materials. This breakthrough not only enhances fire resistance but also paves the way for ballistic solutions with electromagnetic shielding, making our products both versatile and future-oriented,” Cunha concluded.

The company is engaged in multiple projects in Europe, Brazil, Canada and the United States working in close collaboration with military and industrial partners to tailor them to each client’s requirements.

GEOSAT

Space-based surveillance systems are of paramount importance for various applications, including firefighting, agricultural planning, and military defence. They enable day-to-day defence capabilities and provide short turnaround monitoring of conflict zones.

GEOSAT stands as a prominent player in the European satellite imagery and geospatial data analytics industry, employing proprietary satellites that orbit the Earth on a daily basis. These satellites enable continuous surveillance, facilitating security threat assessment, border monitoring, and a comprehensive maritime surveillance service that utilizes artificial intelligence systems for vessel detection and tracking.

Francisco Vilhena da Cunha, the CEO of GEOSAT, emphasizes the company’s commitment to continuous improvement and the enhancement of resolution. This includes achieving higher resolution per pixel, implementing revisit strategies to increase the number of satellites, and incorporating spectral resolution, which encompasses a broader range of bands, including thermal, RF radio, and frequency intelligence.

Since the commencement of the European conflict, GEOSAT has witnessed a significant evolution in its surveillance capabilities. This necessitates the accelerated delivery of data to its clients. As a NATO partner, GEOSAT exercises utmost caution in selecting its clients, recognizing that certain opportunities or invitations may potentially conflict with the strategic interests of Europe or NATO.

In anticipation of this evolution, GEOSAT is set to launch a new constellation under the Atlantic constellation. This constellation will feature video capabilities, shortwave infrared, and additional functionalities that will enable satellites to capture a significantly greater number of images in a single pass compared to legacy satellites currently in orbit.

CEiiA

In response to GEOSAT’s requirements, the engineering and product development firm CeiiA, based in Porto, Portugal, was commissioned to design its next-generation, more mobile, and steerable satellites.

CEiiA specializes in the three sectors of mobility, aeronautics, and space, and provides design services to numerous large corporations seeking to leverage the innovative and highly skilled engineering teams employed by the company.

José Furtado, the Business Development Manager at CEiiA, underscores the company’s position as one of the leading investors and R&D providers in the field of new solutions for societal advancement.

The company has been developing multipurpose cargo drones to expedite the delivery of medical supplies between hospitals. These drones could also be highly beneficial in military applications in conflict zones, enabling the delivery of life-saving medical supplies to the front lines.

The company’s primary design building exhibits a striking resemblance to those in Silicon Valley. Team members are encouraged to foster collaboration and engage in recreational activities at the numerous buildings’ recreational areas. Over 150 engineers have been tasked with developing a novel short takeoff and landing aircraft (STOL) designed for remote areas with limited paved runways. The LUS-222 is a light regional aircraft design suitable for both civilian and military applications. The designation “LUS-222” signifies two engines, a 2,000 km range, and a 2,000 kg payload capacity.

“The LUS-222 presents a viable option for Canada, as well as other regions worldwide that necessitate aircraft and possess the capability to reach certain locations,” José Furtado told CDR.

CEiiA embodies the rapid growth of technology companies in Portugal. Many of these companies originated as startups that have benefited from the support of the Portuguese government. Conversely, other more established companies have embraced the innovative strategies that are being encouraged and supported by an exceptional educational system that promotes an entrepreneurial mindset among students.

Portugal’s relatively low wages and low real estate prices attract an increasing number of international companies to undertake their engineering and manufacturing operations within the country.

Collectively, these factors position Portugal as a rising innovation and technology hub.

Taken together, all these factors make Portugal a rising innovation and technology star.

William Luxton is a CDR Contributor

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