The European Defence Agency (EDA) and the Portuguese Army have launched a major defence experimentation campaign in Portugal that will see loitering munitions, unmanned systems, and other emerging military technologies tested in realistic operational conditions.
Beginning on 28 September at the Santa Margarida Military Training Area, the EU Operational Experimentation Campaign (EU OPEX) will bring together more than 200 innovators, military personnel, and defence experts from across Europe. Over 40 companies, start-ups, and innovation organisations are expected to participate in the event, which aims to accelerate the transition of innovative defence technologies from development into operational military capabilities.
According to the EDA, the campaign is designed to bridge the gap between innovation and military adoption by placing advanced systems into demanding field environments where their performance, interoperability, and operational utility can be evaluated.
