Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies

Challenges, Capabilities, and Co-operation

The maritime environment has become ever more important in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, as concerns over the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction technology, maritime terrorism, piracy, illegal trafficking, and political instability, continue to rise.

With the transnational nature of these threats, defence of the maritime environment is not only of vital interest to the countries of the region, many of which depend on the sea for their security and economic prosperity, but to the international community, as evidenced by the growing role of multi-national naval operations in both the Gulf and Mediterranean.

The DIMDEX Maritime Defence Conference provided a forum for discussing the region's strategic challenges, defence and security concepts, technological capabilities, and prospects for co-operation. It explored how the acquisition of appropriate platforms, systems, and technologies, in accordance with sound concepts of employment and policies, can help meet the challenges faced.

Presentation Downloads:

Conference Programme

Plenary Session Downloads:

P1. Dr Anthony Cordesman, Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy, CSIS

P1. Brigadier Said Al Sowaidi, Former Commander, QENF

P1. Vice Admiral Michel De Monval, Head of International Relations, French Navy

Parallel Technical Session Downloads:

S1. Maritime Underwater Security Operations - Carl Runemar, Saab

S2. Command Support - S. Bennett, QinetiQ & J. Cunnison, EDS Defence Services

S2. Developing Maritime Zone Awareness - Andrew Morrice, Ocean Software

S3. Li-ion Battery Systems for Underwater Vehicles - Alain Coadou, SAFT Batteries

S4. Coastal Protection Vessels - David McConnell, Rolls-Royce

S5. Combat Management Systems - Martin Nijenhuis, Atlas Elektronik

S5. Future Combat Systems - Johan Hagg, Saab

S5. Network Centric Combat Management Systems - Paolo Amadio, Lockheed Martin

S6. The Skeldarm VTOL Unmanned Air Vehicle - Anders Carp, Saab

S7. Waterjet Propulsion Systems - Norbert Bulten, Wartsila Propulsion

S9. The Hovering Autonomous Vehicle - Tim Alavosus, Bluefin Robotics a,b,c

S10. PC Based Bridge Training - Bell & Thompson, Offshore Systems & DT Media

S10. Integrated Training Workforce - Kelvin Chng, ST Education & Training

S10. The Contribution of Government Partners - VADm McAnally, Flagship Training

S11. Electronic Warfare in Maritime Surveilance, Captain Cassinello, Indra Sistemas

S11. Electronic Warfare & Intelligence Support - Michel Justin, Thales a,b,c

S12. Hardkill Torpedo Counter-Measures - Peter Kuhn, Atlas Elektronik

S12. Laser Guided Weapons in the Littorals, Marius Thiart, Saab

**Remaining Presentations will be added shortly** 

Speakers:

• KEYNOTE ADDRESS - Vice Admiral Kevin J Cosgriff United States Navy, Commander, US Naval Forces Central Command; Commander US 5th Fleet; Combined Forces Maritime Component Commander
• Ambassador Jiri Sedivy, Assistant Secretary General for Policy & Planning, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO)
• Staff Brigadier (Sea) Mohammed N. Al Mohannadi, Commander, Qatar Emiri Naval Forces
• Rear Admiral Robert Cooling, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff, Royal Navy, UK
• Rear Admiral Tan Kai Hoe, Chief Of Staff - Naval Staff, Republic of Singapore Navy
• Vice Admiral Michel de Fresse de Monval, Head of International Relations, French Navy
• Brigadier (Sea) Said Al-Sowaidi, Former Chief of the Navy, Qatari Emiri Naval Forces (QENF)
• Professor Anthony Cordesman, Arleigh A. Burke Chair in Strategy, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
• Dr Eric V. Thompson, Director of International Affairs Group, Center for Naval Analyses, US
• Major General (Ret) Syed Ali Hamid, Pakistan
• Vice Admiral (Ret) John McNally, UK
• Rear Admiral Odd Werin, Deputy Chief Maritime Component Command (CMCC), Royal Swedish Navy
• Rear Admiral (JG) (Ret.) Jonathan Kamerman, Germany
• Professor Michael Clarke, Director, Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies (RUSI), Whitehall, London

Programme:

The conference programme included addresses from chiefs of navies, senior officials and leading analysts, alongside briefings from the thought-leaders in the defence and security industry. Three plenary sessions set the politico-security context of maritime defence in the MENA region, examining the character of the regional threat environment, the actors and policies shaping it, and the increasing important role of multi-national collaboration.

• Threats and Challenges in the Future Strategic Environment
• Maritime Security Operations
• Cooperation and Interoperability

Twelve break-out sessions then explored how technology can provide affordable solutions to the challenges faced. They examined the latest thinking and developments in the key technologies affecting maritime defence. These technical sessions were be held in three parallel streams, under the themes of (1) Information Technology, (2) Underwater, (3) Capability Development. Topics included the following:

• Unmanned Air Systems & Underwater Vehicles
• Ships in the Littoral Environment
• Maritime Security
• Combat Systems
• Using Information
• Radar and Sonar
• Electronic Warfare
• Weapons
• Ship Design & Maintenance
• Training

The Inaugural Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition (DIMDEX)

DIMDEX is the sister show to the highly successful IMDEX Asia series (held in Singapore), and is the first dedicated maritime defence exhibition to serve the Middle East and North African (MENA) region. The DIMDEX Maritime Defence Conference 2008 - produced in partnership between Qatar MCE Development Institute (QMDI) and RUSI(Qatar) and hosted by the Qatari Emiri Naval Forces - will accompany DIMDEX the 2008 Exhibition. The Exhibition will run from 17-19 March 2008, with the Conference taking place on the second and third days.

For more information on the DIMDEX exhibition itself, please visit the DIMDEX website at www.dimdex.com