The Düsseldorf-based technology group Rheinmetall has successfully demonstrated its advanced autonomous systems at OPEX REPMUS 2025 and DYMS, NATO’s premier maritime autonomy exercises. Held in Troia and Sesimbra, Portugal, this strategic event, organized by the Portuguese Navy, NATO, and the European Defense Agency, served as a vital international platform for testing unmanned systems across all domains.
In this demanding, real-world environment, Rheinmetall proved its capabilities in advancing interoperability and mission effectiveness. The company showcased its world-class command-and-control systems, advanced sensors, and mission management platforms, all engineered for complex, multinational operations. A key achievement was the seamless integration of its systems with NATO-standard architectures, using STANAG-compliant interfaces and secure data-sharing protocols to ensure allied forces can operate as one.
Central to the demonstration was Rheinmetall’s 360-degree layered defense concept for protecting harbors, coastlines, and conducting land-based maritime operations. This was proven through live, manned-unmanned teaming scenarios. Key systems like the Mission Master SP – an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) – performed reconnaissance and surveillance despite harsh coastal conditions, highlighting its robustness and adaptability. These platforms were seamlessly connected through Battlesuite, an app-store-like information space that breaks down data silos and enables rapid integration of new capabilities.
The exercises provided invaluable operational feedback, allowing Rheinmetall to refine its technologies alongside military operators. According to Gregor Mannherz, Sales Manager Marine Systems at Rheinmetall Electronics GmbH, “The REPMUS exercise provided an excellent opportunity to test the interaction of ground- and air-based unmanned systems in a demanding NATO environment.”
Rheinmetall’s active role at REPMUS/DYMS 2025 reaffirms its position as a trusted partner in NATO’s journey toward autonomous, interoperable defense. By collaborating directly with allied forces, the company is accelerating the development cycle, transforming innovative concepts into mission-ready solutions that enhance maritime security and shape the future of allied defense.
