Farnborough, UK – 20–22 May 2025 – OCCAR once again underscored its strategic role in European defence cooperation through the participation of the Near Future Submarine (NFS) delegation (Mr Christian Perrone – Senior Platform Officer – and Mr Antonio Palomba – Platform Officer) at the Combined Naval Event (CNE) 2025, one of the premier forums for naval innovation and strategic dialogue. The event convened military leaders, industry experts, and programme managers, providing a comprehensive platform where all facets of the maritime domain were examined—from surface operations to the increasingly critical underwater and seabed warfare areas.
Mr. Antonio Palomba delivered a presentation entitled “Near Future Submarine – Programme Update and Future Development.” His address showcased the latest feasibility studies within the NFS Programme and emphasized OCCAR’s unique capability to facilitate flexibility and multinational cooperation.
A standout element of the presentation was the focus on feasibility studies for the Mid-Life Update (MLU) of the U212A Batch I submarines and the development of a new Special Operations Submarine. The MLU study seeks to modernize the U212A fleet by upgrading key systems and extending their operational lifespan. Concurrently, the Special Operations Submarine study explores a medium-sized platform designed for the covert transport and support of Special Operations Task Units (SOTUs).
Notably, the recent invitation extended to the Hellenic Navy to join the NFS Programme as an Observer garnered significant interest. Enabled by OCCAR’s adaptable and modular management structure, this initiative exemplifies how open cooperation and shared logistics can foster stronger multinational partnerships.
The presentation sparked robust engagement and follow-up discussions with both governmental and industry stakeholders, underscoring OCCAR’s essential role in advancing collaborative defence capabilities.
OCCAR’s proactive participation at CNE 2025 reaffirms its pivotal position in shaping the future of European defence. Continued involvement in such high-profile events is strongly recommended to promote OCCAR’s vision of adaptive, cooperative defence capability development.
