Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
TRENDS Research & Advisory’s United States Office (TRENDS US) hosted its third strategic session in Washington, DC, under the theme “Unmanned Surface Vessels: The Future of Maritime Security”, bringing together former senior military leaders, defence specialists, and maritime technology experts to discuss the evolving nature of naval deterrence.
The session was moderated by Bilal Y. Saab, Senior Managing Director of TRENDS America, and addressed three main themes: the impact of unmanned surface and underwater vehicles (USVs and AUVs) on maritime security in the Gulf and elsewhere; the prospects of these advanced capabilities and their role in strengthening deterrence; and the strategic importance of international and regional cooperation in developing and employing these technologies.
Panellists included Michael Brasseur, Chief Strategy Officer and Vice President at Saab, and former founder and commodore of the US Navy’s Task Force 59; Michael Stewart, Founder and Principal Consultant of N86U LLC, and former director of the Disruptive Capabilities Office in the US Navy. Also participating was Admiral Kevin Donegan, Senior Adviser to TRENDS US and former Commander of US Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT), the Fifth Fleet, and Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain, alongside retired senior officers, defence industry experts, and representatives of emerging maritime technology startups.
Participants emphasised that 21st-century maritime deterrence is no longer determined by fleet size alone but by numbers, speed, and innovative deployment capabilities. They agreed that escalating maritime challenges, including piracy, smuggling, terrorism, and threats from Iranian and Houthis forces, require new approaches to deterrence built around innovative systems and unmanned vessels to enhance surveillance and rapid response capabilities.
Experts noted that many US partner states in the Gulf face limited Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and lack sufficient means to secure their maritime resources. Therefore, unmanned systems act as a “technological equaliser”, providing effective, lower-cost, and more flexible capabilities.
The session highlighted the success of Task Force 59, founded by Admiral Brasseur. This initiative integrates unmanned systems and artificial intelligence into Fifth Fleet operations and has demonstrated that unmanned systems can deliver significant impact at minimal cost.
The discussion also covered Ukraine’s experience in the Black Sea, where drones and unmanned vessels challenged the Russian fleet, marking a transformative shift in naval warfare tactics. Panellists stressed that such technologies complement rather than replace major warships, amplifying their effectiveness and reach.
Despite progress, speakers identified persistent regulatory and funding constraints as major hurdles. Institutional inertia within the US defence establishment, they noted, often slows the adoption of emerging technologies. Participants called for more agile funding models, stronger support mechanisms, and preservation of institutional memory to prevent the loss of hard-earned insights when leadership changes.
The session concluded with an agreement that international collaboration and partnerships are essential for developing and deploying unmanned systems. Successful models in the Gulf and Ukraine have shown the value of close cooperation between naval forces, technology firms, and young innovators. These partnerships allow real-world testing, AI integration into joint operations, and trust-building between humans and machines in complex defence ecosystems.
Experts recommended greater investment in maritime innovation, expanded international partnerships, and flexible funding approaches to accelerate the adoption of new technologies in global maritime security systems.
