Crucial Nato event set for HMNB Portsmouth to make UK and Europe 'ready and resilient to the threat of Russia'

Global defence leaders will be descending on Portsmouth for a high-profile Nato event aimed at preparing the alliance against a bold Russia.

The alliance’s Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG) Plenary will be taking place between June 23 and 25. It marks the first time this century that the UK has hosted the high-level gathering.

Significant figures in government and top brass in the armed forces are expected to attend. Key topics up for discussion include the industrial challenges facing the alliance amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, and the increasing threat to Europe posed by Moscow and Vladimir Putin.

Sir Stuart Atha, host of the event and head of the UK NATO Industrial Advisory Group (NIAG) delegation, said: “The NIAG is NATO’s industrial voice and conscience. Therefore, the priority for the Portsmouth plenary is to make sure that the lessons from Ukraine relevant to industry are addressed. There is no defence without industry and we need increased investment in NATO’s industrial base to make it ready and resilient to the threat Russia poses.”

The theme of the Portsmouth plenary is ‘Readiness and Resilience – Together’. It was branded as such due to the UK’s “Nato First” policy, outlined in the Strategic Defence Review published last year. The policy means the nation should focus on supporting the alliance against threats through partnering with other nations.

The same can be said with industrial businesses which develop the essential military equipment and capabilities of tomorrow. If the armed forces are sufficiently supplied, then the UK can deter Russia and can defend against its forces.

Other issues which are expected to be brought up include ways of increasing production capacity within defence, building up war-ready stockpiles of supplies, and delivering what are considered “battle-winning” capabilities. Plans are already in place for the Royal Navy to develop a hybrid force, combining conventional warships with autonomous systems such as surface and subsurface drones. They are already seeing the fruits of this, with sophisticated new mine-hunting drones being prepared for the Middle East.

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Closer to home, Russia is increasing its activities and bolstering its subsurface force in the North Sea. HMS Prince of Wales is currently conducting exercises in the region with the UK Carrier Strike Group. This week saw a Moscow shadow fleet ship, carrying sanctioned crude oil that funds its war efforts in Ukraine, boarded and detained. RFN Admiral Grigorovich then proceeded to fire warning shots at a British yacht in the English Channel.

All eyes will be on the plenary ahead of the crucial Nato summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 7. An industry day sits alongside the NIAG plenary, allowing businesses to showcase their latest technologies. Academic institutions, including Southampton Solent University, will be in attendance alongside other defence suppliers.

Sir Stuart added: “History, recent and distant, teaches us that to avoid war we must prepare for it. The industry day will be an exciting opportunity to demonstrate how the innovative UK Defence Industrial Base contributes to both the security and prosperity of NATO and its member nations.”

Professor Laurie Wright, Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for Marine Sustainability at Southampton Solent University, added: “Defence is one of the most strategically significant sectors in the UK economy, and Solent University engages through our education, skills development and applied research. As a practice-led university, our work is shaped in close collaboration with industry and our partners.

“The NIAG Plenary provides an important opportunity to showcase the role universities like ours can play within the defence ecosystem."