Conference Theme

Cooperation and collaboration, the essence of teamwork, are key to success in underwater warfare at every level from strategic down to tactical.

In mine warfare and anti-submarine warfare, teamwork has numerous vital functions: teamwork between platforms; between industry, research and operators; and between nations.

Added to this is the growing presence of ever more uncrewed systems; the development of both the technology and concepts of operations to advance man/machine teamworking will be key to operational success. 

The unwelcome arrival of Covid-19 has added a new element to this already difficult operational environment. Management of the impact of the virus is placing a massive burden on nations’ finances and the corollary will surely be added pressure on all Departments of State as initiatives to ‘balance the books’ start to manifest. 

Although defence might enjoy some degree of ring-fencing of financial support to key projects, it is likely that others will be challenged, and some affected quite negatively. 

When this is considered alongside the aspiration of several nations to expand their maritime global presence into areas where, inevitably, the underwater threat will exist, there is a growing imperative to leverage the capabilities of all players in the complex and unrelenting underwater domain. 

Teamworking is well placed to offer a positive return.

On this basis, UDT has a key role to play as a platform to facilitate sharing of information and ideas between all parties that work in the development and exploitation of undersea defence technology.