Enabling Naval Power with Technology for Next Generation Surface Warships

Nations across the globe are in a transitional period, where many of their surface fleets are ageing out of service and in need of replacement. With the inevitable need for surface fleet modernisation, nations are actively assessing different ways to update their surface fleets to meet the changing requirements of an evolving threat environment. Amongst these challenges are the long lead times involved in shipbuilding and ensuring that warships keep pace with technological advancement. Discourse surrounding the hybrid fleet concept and integrating uncrewed naval systems with warships are becoming more and more prominent.
 
This transitional period coincides with a time when the Euro-Atlantic alliance is edging closer to war, with rising tensions with Russia and China. Some have even argued that this is the nearest we have come to war involving a NATO partner in our lifetime. Many conflicts are already spilling into the maritime domain, and changing the face of surface warfare, as seen with Ukraine’s successful use of drone warfare against Russia in the Black Sea. The role of surface warfare in protecting critical undersea infrastructure and international trade cannot be disputed, as seen in the Red Sea conflict. Aside from current ongoing conflicts, grey zone activity in areas like the Arctic, are indicators that such regions might potentially be the stage for the playing out of great competition. As a result, navies are looking to build surface warships that can operate in a variety of conditions, including extreme cold weather.
 
With an ever-evolving threat landscape, where hybrid warfare is being enlisted, warship technology has evolved to solve these newer challenges that navies are facing. Nations are looking to enhance warships with autonomous, AI and ML- powered technologies. With the ongoing digital transformation taking place in the maritime domain, the biggest technological advancements may not be in platforms but rather the digital arena. Programs like the Royal Navy’s Project CABOT are a great indicator of this.
 
Recognising the need for navies to tackle this new security landscape, Defence iQ’s Surface Warships conference returns on 13th-14th October 2026, London, UK. Bringing together military leaders, decision makers and experts from across the naval ecosystem to find solutions to the most pressing challenges in building, maintaining and deploying surface warships in today’s environment.

Join us in London to hear from the senior military leaders, naval decision makers and industry experts shaping future surface fleets!