Washington, United States – A strategic session entitled “Unmanned Surface Ships: The Future of Maritime Security”, organized by the Trends Center for Research and Consulting –United States Branch (TRENDS US), recommended investing in maritime innovation, expanding international partnerships, and adopting more flexible financing mechanisms to accelerate the integration of new technologies into global maritime security systems.
Participants in the session held in Washington, DC, with the participation of an elite group of former military leaders and experts in the fields of defense and maritime technology, stressed that maritime deterrence in the twenty-first century no longer depends on the size of the fleet, but rather on the number, speed, and ability to deploy intelligently.
They pointed out that unmanned technologies have become a fundamental pillar in protecting sea lanes and confronting growing threats.
They added that despite significant advances in unmanned marine technologies, regulatory and funding obstacles remain the greatest challenge to their development.
They pointed to the need to develop institutional support mechanisms and sustainable funding for testing and development experiments.
They also stressed that international cooperation and partnerships are a crucial element in developing and deploying unmanned systems.
The session, moderated by Bilal Yousef Saab, Senior Managing Director of Trends America, addressed three main axes: the impact of surface and unmanned underwater vessels (USVs and AUVs) on maritime security in the Gulf and other regions, the future prospects of these advanced capabilities and their role in enhancing deterrence, and the strategic importance of international and regional cooperation in developing and employing these technologies.
