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Royal Navy undersea experts at Aberdeen expo
28 February 2025
WHETHER it’s submarines, submersibles, or mine clearance divers, the Royal Navy are no strangers to operating in the ocean depths
That’s why representatives from the Senior Service headed to Aberdeen on February 18th to attend the three-day Subsea Expo at the city’s P&J Conference Centre.
The Expo, which brought together world-leading experts and companies to discuss capability, ingenuity, and opportunities in the Subsea world, attracted some 6,000 visitors and saw 150 companies from 40 countries exhibit.
Speaking about the event, Commander Stuart Urwin, Regional Lead for Maritime Enterprise Engagement in Scotland and Northern Ireland, said: “The Subsea Expo is an opportunity for the Royal Navy to engage with the commercial Maritime sector and discuss the challenges around energy transition, new technologies, and digitalisation.
“Attendance enabled us to outline the Royal Navy’s ambitions around automation in the underwater battlespace.”
Representing the Royal Navy was Captain Jim Lovell, Head of Underwater Battlespace Capability Navy Develop, who delivered a keynote speech at the Expo on February 19th.
During the event, the Royal Navy also organised a panel discussion opened by Naval Regional Commander for Scotland and Northern Ireland, Brigadier Andy Muddiman ADC RM, and featuring members of the London Tech Bridge, the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), and the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO).
Technology is advancing rapidly in the commercial underwater sector. It is important that we connect to keep the Royal Navy abreast of developments in the subsea space.
The panel discussed recent innovations in the sub-sea domain, how subject matter experts can engage with the Defence sector, and opportunities to increase resilience, before conducting an open question and answer session.
The Subsea Expo highlights the potential of the “Blue Economy”, which seeks to conserve marine and freshwater environments while using them in a sustainable way to develop economic growth and produce resources such as energy and food.
Key themes at the event were: offshore energy, aquaculture, telecommunications, and subsea minerals.
As well as the exhibition and conference, the Expo also included an awards ceremony celebrating the industry’s standout individuals and companies.
Commander Urwin said: “Technology is advancing rapidly in the commercial underwater sector. It is important that we connect to keep the Royal Navy abreast of developments in the subsea space.”