**Location and Event:**
On November 14, 2023, NATO conducted a series of underwater sensor tests in La Spezia, Italy, as part of the first edition of Exercise Bold Machina 2024. The event was co-organized by the Allied Special Operations Forces Command (SOFCOM) and the NATO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE).
**Objective of the Tests:**
The tests aimed to assess the effectiveness of underwater sensors designed to protect critical maritime infrastructure. Special forces teams equipped with various diving propulsion devices were sent through detection systems to determine if they could evade detection. This exercise was intended to provide engineers with insights into signature variations.
**Technology Utilized:**
Several companies contributed a range of sensors for the exercise, which were set up to detect a variety of signals, including acoustic, magnetic, passive, and electric signals. The readings from these sensors were linked to an augmented reality simulator for direct analysis by the exercise’s analysts.
**Challenges Identified:**
A significant challenge in underwater signature management is uncertainty—knowing whether detection is possible and the capabilities of detection systems. U.S. Navy Capt. Kurt Mulher, SOFCOM’s maritime development director, highlighted this issue, emphasizing the psychological aspect of knowing a detection system exists without understanding its capabilities.
**Context and Motivation:**
The ongoing war in Ukraine and attacks on its critical infrastructure by Russian forces served as a major impetus for Bold Machina. Mulher noted that targeting critical infrastructure is often more feasible for aggressors than direct military confrontations. This has prompted reflections on the vulnerabilities of NATO nations and the vital role of SOF in developing protective technologies.
**Strategic Focus of SOFCOM:**
According to NATO, SOFCOM’s primary objective is to deter threats during peacetime and defend against adversaries, specifically targeting Russia and terrorist organizations. The changing dynamics of maritime activity and the proliferation of underwater systems have heightened operational challenges.
**Political Implications:**
Mulher pointed out that there is significant political interest in safeguarding critical underwater structures, as many of these are international resources not owned by any single nation. This political drive encourages collaboration among nations to allocate resources towards innovative solutions for the protection of maritime infrastructure.
**Author Information:**
This report was authored by Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo, a Europe correspondent for Defense News, based in Milan, Italy, where she covers military procurement, international security, and specializes in aviation sector reporting.
