Surface Warships 2026 will bring together naval leaders, decision-makers, and industry experts to examine the challenges involved in building, maintaining, modernizing, and deploying surface warships.
Across the Euro-Atlantic region, allied nations and partners are modernizing surface fleets as aging combatants leave service and new capabilities are required to respond to an evolving threat environment. The conference will address developments in surface warship design, autonomous and uncrewed systems, enhanced combat systems, AI-driven technology, and modular shipbuilding.
Surface Warships will take place alongside Defence iQ’s Maritime ISR, Seabed Security, and Uncrewed Naval Systems conferences and is held in association with REPMUS26. Surface warfare professionals will also have exposure to developments in uncrewed systems, maritime ISR, and seabed security.
When is Surface Warships 2026?
Surface Warships 2026 will take place on October 13–14, 2026 in Tróia, Portugal.
Surface Warships 2026 Themes
The conference will focus on the modernization of surface fleets and the technologies affecting future surface warfare.
Topics will include fleet readiness, modern surface combat strategies, the integration of surface warships with uncrewed naval systems, autonomous systems, enhanced combat systems, AI-driven technology, and modular shipbuilding.
Discussions will also address prolonged lead times, complex procurement cycles, and the challenge of keeping pace with technological developments.
The changing maritime security environment will provide further context, including ongoing conflicts in the Black Sea and Red Sea and increased hybrid threats and gray-zone activity in the Arctic.
What’s On at Surface Warships 2026?
The two-day conference will bring together senior military leaders, naval decision-makers, and industry experts from across the maritime sector.
Attendees will hear perspectives on building, maintaining, and deploying surface warships, as well as fleet modernization and technological developments affecting surface warfare.
Participants will also be able to engage across the co-located Maritime ISR, Seabed Security, and Uncrewed Naval Systems events and experience live exhibitions within the wider maritime event environment.
A site visit to CEOM on October 12 is also scheduled ahead of the main conference.
Why Attend Surface Warships 2026?
Attendees will hear international naval perspectives and updates on major surface warship programs, including the European Combat Vessel, Horizon Warship Modernisation, and FREMM Frigate programs. The conference will also examine hybrid fleet development, surface fleet modernization, and maritime threats across the Arctic, Black Sea, and Red Sea.
Surface Warships 2026 Speakers
The announced speaker lineup includes representatives from national navies, NATO, defense organizations, procurement bodies, and research organizations.
- Admiral (Retd.) Henrique Gouveia e Melo – Chief of Staff of the Navy, Portuguese Navy; 2026 Chairman
- Vice Admiral Joseph F. Cahill – Commander, Naval Surface Force, Pacific Fleet, U.S. Navy
- Rear Admiral Craig Wood – Deputy Commander, STRIKFORNATO
- Rear Admiral Francesco Saladino – Head of Surface Capabilities Development Department, Italian Navy
- Rear Admiral Cornel-Eugen Cojocaru – Fleet Commander, Romanian Naval Forces
- Rear Admiral Naoya Hoshi – Director General Logistics Department, JMSDF
- Rear Admiral Carl Gillis – Strategic Advisor to the Chief of Navy, Belgian Navy
- Commodore Ian Feasey – Commander of Surface Flotilla, Royal Navy
- Commodore Kyrre Haugen – Chief of Naval Fleet, Royal Norwegian Navy
- Commodore Jon Carrigan – Deputy Director, National Shipbuilding Office
- Captain Adam Stein – Prospective Deputy Commodore, Destroyer Squadron 50, U.S. Navy (subject to final confirmation)
- Captain Charalampos Polymilis – Chief of Staff, Patrol Vessel Command, Hellenic Navy
- Commander Guntis Skunstiņš – Officer, Latvian Naval Forces
- Commander Cortes Sanches – Plans and Policy Division at Portuguese Naval Staff and General Staff, Portuguese Navy
- Jürgen Scraback – Head of Unit Maritime Domain, European Defence Agency
- Lorenzo Raciti – HORIZON Program Manager, OCCAR-EA
- Sebastien Le Bouter – Programme Manager, OCCAR-EA
- Neil Cogdell – Head of Innovation & Capability – Maritime, UK Defence Solutions Centre
- Dr. Sidharth Kaushal – Senior Fellow, RUSI
Where is Surface Warships 2026?
Surface Warships 2026 will be held at:
Design Hotel
Tróia
Portugal
To learn more about Surface Warships 2026, to register to attend or exhibit, please click below .
