Ukraine gives NATO troops their next lesson in naval maneuvers

Exercise REPMUS/Dynamic Messenger

Ukraine beats NATO units in naval maneuvers

Ukrainian military forces inflicted heavy losses on alliance naval units in a maneuver. Not the first defeat for NATO troops compared to Kyiv.

Now another setback by NATO units in comparison with Ukraine has become known. Accordingly, a Ukrainian-led unit inflicted a defeat on regular NATO troops during a naval exercise off the coast of Portugal last October. At least one frigate was sunk by video signal, reported the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” (FAZ).

The REPMUS/Dynamic Messenger exercise was the first alliance exercise to be held under Ukraine’s leadership. This is primarily about testing new technical means such as sea drones. The Federal Navy’s official press release says: “REPMUS is primarily characterized by technological diversity: Here, the armed forces, industry and academic partners test new prototypes of unmanned systems on land, at sea and in the air.”

REPMUS stands for Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping using Maritime Uncrewed Systems, loosely translated: robot experiments and prototype development with unmanned maritime systems.

Now the association under Ukrainian leadership also checkmated a NATO association with the sea drones. At least one frigate was switched off; according to the FAZ, a hit is considered if the enemy boat comes into the attacker’s sights.

“Ukraine’s participation in the exercise is a unique opportunity to demonstrate important trends in modern naval warfare. We bring the realism of contemporary combat operations to NATO exercises, which should further stimulate the alliance to apply innovative changes and tactics in maritime operations,” the Ukrainian Navy said.