Describe your event Uncrewed & Autonomous Systems to those that aren’t familiar.

Uncrewed & Autonomous Systems 2025 is the leading international conference dedicated to exploring the future of defence autonomy. Taking place on 3-4 December in London, the event focuses on the latest developments in uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs), and system-of-systems technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure.

Co-located with Defence iQ’s Defence Transformation conference, it brings together over 250 global experts from defence, government, and industry. The event is designed to showcase how autonomy is reshaping the battlespace, offering attendees the chance to learn, collaborate, and accelerate the deployment of next-generation capabilities

Who typically attends an event like this?

The conference attracts a diverse audience of military leaders, government policymakers, and industry innovators. Attendees include senior officers from the British Army, US Army, NATO, and other allied forces, alongside defence technology companies, engineers, and researchers from academia. Strategic partners, investors, and SMEs also participate, making it a unique environment where operational end-users meet solution providers to discuss capability gaps, innovation, and future force design.

Highlight some of the topics on the Agenda for the event.

The agenda covers a wide range of critical themes. Sessions will examine the operational integration of uncrewed systems, with case studies on how UAS and UGVs are being deployed in real-world missions. Another focus is on AI, autonomy, and the digital backbone, exploring how digital infrastructure enables situational awareness while addressing challenges such as interoperability and resilience. Collaboration and interoperability are also key themes, with discussions on allied cooperation and cross-domain integration to ensure uncrewed systems can operate seamlessly across platforms and nations. Additional sessions will tackle capability gaps, counter-UAS strategies, and innovations in robotics and autonomy.

Who will be speaking at this year’s event?

The speaker line-up features senior and operational military and technical leaders from across the globe. Confirmed speakers include Brigadier General Michael Janisch, Director of Armaments and Defence Technology Agency in the Austrian Armed Forces; Colonel Simon Pope, Commander of the UAS Group at the UK Ministry of Defence; Colonel Brian Merkl, Unmanned Systems Division Chief with the US Army; and Arbo Probal, UxS and C-UxS Program Manager at the Estonian Air Force. They will be joined by experts from NATO HQ, RUSI, the Czech Defense University, and industry leaders such as Milrem Robotics, GaardTech, IDV, and Tencore. See the confirmed speaker line up at Speakers | Uncrewed & Autonomous Systems for more information.

What type of networking opportunities are available?

Networking is a central part of the event, with multiple structured opportunities built into the agenda. Attendees can connect during morning coffee breaks, networking lunches, and afternoon teas, as well as during panel discussions and Q&A sessions. The co-location with the Defence Transformation conference ensures augmented networking opportunities, allowing participants to engage with a broader audience. Exhibitors and sponsors also provide dedicated spaces to showcase technologies, enabling direct conversations with military decision-makers and procurement leaders.

What can an attendee expect while at Uncrewed & Autonomous Systems 2025?

Attendees can expect a dynamic and insightful conference, that combines strategic insights with practical case studies. The event provides exposure to cutting-edge technologies in autonomy, robotics, and AI, alongside operational perspectives from military leaders actively deploying these systems. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of capability gaps and how next-generation solutions are being developed to address them. With over 250 global experts present, the conference offers a unique environment for collaboration, bolstering partnerships with international allies, and shaping the future of defence autonomy.