Ukrainian naval drones played a pivotal role in NATO’s largest unmanned maritime systems exercise this month, with Ukrainian forces serving as the opposing “red team” in scenarios based on their real-world combat experience against Russia.
The Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping using Maritime Uncrewed Systems (REPMUS) exercise, held Sept. 1-26 and organized by Portugal, brought together 24 allied navies to test the use of and defense against autonomous naval systems. Ukraine’s participation marked one of the most visible demonstrations of the country’s growing role in unmanned maritime warfare.
The 🇺🇦-made Magura W6 series unmanned surface vehicle fitted out with missiles, radar and EO sensor and more, is being demonstrated and trialled at @NATO and 🇵🇹 @MarinhaPT and @UPorto FEUP #REPMUS25 and #DYMS25 maritime unmanned systems international exercises. pic.twitter.com/WwUUFXmqeX
— Defence 360° (@Defence360) September 22, 2025
Representatives from the Ukrainian navy participated alongside allied forces, with Ukrainian unmanned surface vessels (USVs) serving as adversarial forces to test NATO capabilities in scenarios inspired by frontline combat operations.
Ukraine showcased an upgraded version of its Magura V7.2 unmanned surface vessel during the exercise, according to defense outlet Militarnyi. The Magura V7.2 features a reinforced hull with a revised hydrodynamic profile designed to improve efficiency and stability in high sea states. Engineers relocated the missile launchers from the stern to a mid-deck position and modified the exhaust layout as part of the structural redesign.
Captain Valter de Bulha Almeida of the Portuguese Navy emphasized the value of Ukrainian participation during a Sept. 24 media briefing at the Portuguese Navy Operational Experimentation Centre in Tróia.
“The question is not who is winning; I am much more interested in developing tactics – we’re learning a lot from Ukraine,” Almeida said. “We have to act as if the threat is real, so they are doing what they do and see on the front lines, and for us it’s very important.”
According to exercise briefing materials, the “enemy red team” deployed 61 unmanned aerial vehicles, 57 USVs, and one unmanned ground vehicle during the three-week exercise.
Outro sistema marítimo de superfície não tripulado do tipo Magura W6 que a 🇺🇦 apresenta nos exercícios multinacionais de experimentação de sistemas maritimos não tripulados #REPMUS25 e #DYMS25 da 🇵🇹 @MarinhaPT e @NATO. pic.twitter.com/2JdozCwW3t
— Defence 360° (@Defence360) September 22, 2025
The Magura series has already demonstrated its effectiveness in combat operations. On May 2, Ukraine Intelligence Directorate Chief Kyrylo Budanov confirmed that Magura-7 units armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles were used to down two Russian Su-30 fighters, calling the event “a historic moment.”
World first: On May 2, 2025, the @DI_Ukraine special operations unit, in coordination with the Security Service of Ukraine and Defence Forces of Ukraine, eliminated a russian Su-30 fighter jet in the Black Sea.
🔗 https://t.co/DXhg74AKcg pic.twitter.com/Z4fP5CFRb8
— Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (@DI_Ukraine) May 3, 2025
According to Militarnyi, the Magura V7 weighs approximately 7,500 pounds and can cover distances of up to 930 miles, though recent modifications may have affected these specifications.
