Visit by the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias to the US Navy’s Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific in San Diego

Visit by the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias to the US Navy's Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific in San Diego

November 18, 2025

The Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendias, visited on Monday 17 November 2025 the US Navy's Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWC) and the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) in San Diego, California.

The visit began with ONR's Chief of Naval Research, Rear Admiral Kurt Rothenhaus, the Executive Director for Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific Michael McMillan, the Director of Innovation Department Dr. Dimitris Tsintikidisand other officials providing Mr. Dendias with detailed information about the structure, organization, mission, activities, and development of cutting-edge innovations for the modern naval operational environment.

Particular emphasis was placed on the latest developments in unmanned autonomous systems operating at sea and below the sea, cyber defence, as well as advanced information networks in maritime and coastal areas, artificial intelligence, and data analysis for operational applications.

The long-term R&D strategy for naval technologies, the cooperation with leading universities, advanced technology research centers, and the defence industry were also discussed, as well as ways to convert research into operational power.

The Minister then watched the audiovisual presentation "Sea Strike 2043", showing how emerging technologies can be integrated at every level of the battlefield, testing innovative strategies and leveraging advanced technologies and real-time information.

Mr. Dendias was then given a tour at NIWC Pacific's facilities, where he had the opportunity to see the unmanned autonomous systems up close and discuss with programme managers about their capabilities. A presentation was also held on the Research and Development (R&D) of robotic and other innovative applications used by Unmanned Systems of the US Navy, which are one of the main pillars of experimentation and development of unmanned maritime systems.

During his visit to NIWC Pacific, the Minister also toured the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Information Operations (UAVIO) Laboratory, where he was briefed on the latest developments in unmanned aerial vehicle systems and intelligence operations. This was followed by a presentation of one of the most advanced underwater unmanned technology systems.

The visit concluded with discussions on deepening defence cooperation between Greece and the US in cutting-edge areas.

It should be noted that the US Navy's Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific specializes in the manufacture of Unmanned Aerial and Maritime Vehicles, the development of information systems, cyber warfare, and secure communications for ships, submarines, Unmanned Vehicles, and ground forces.