Although 14 years have passed we find ourselves again in a world of tension where the underwater defence community, in particular, is again in the spotlight. Here in the 21st century, possibly earlier than any government could have anticipated, there are increasing threats to developed nations that make it essential to be able to secure key waterways, straits and harbours, to ensure the continuity of trade and energy supplies. There is also a need to maintain traditional underwater defence in deeper ocean areas where the proliferation of submarines continues to generate new requirements for advanced naval technologies.
During recent years there have been significant changes to the previous clear distinctions in the defence responsibilities of countries, states and smaller communities. Also there appears to be a larger variation in the time occurring between increasing tension and the onset of actual conflict. It appears that the availability of modern high speed communications networks, with the ability to transfer high volumes of data, is transforming the way crises develop and internationalise. Furthermore most nations can no longer exercise the tight controls over their media organisations, than was hitherto the case, in order to control the development of such crises. It is becoming clear that nations and vital economic international networks must strive to improve their intrinsic resilience to this world of tensions, reshaping both defence forces and civil security for this purpose. Although defence budgets
continue to be limited, it appears to be essential to ensure that plans for new investments take account of the need to achieve such resilience, including effective exploitation of the seas around Europe which remain areas of significant uncertainty and vulnerability. The programme being planned for the UDT conference in Cannes will reflect these trends.
The keynote speeches, papers, poster sessions, products on displays and - above all - the informal discussions we will have together in Cannes will create an up to date collective vision that will be of great value to all participants. The attendance levels at recent UDT conferences have continued to increase, reflecting an increasing interest in underwater defence and associated technology. We expect this increase to be maintained as attendees now desire to capture the complete maritime defence and security scene, not just its underwater component. The conference topics in Cannes will therefore look significantly different from those covered in 1995, embracing a broader spectrum of maritime safety and security issues, changes in concepts of operations and increased roles for unmanned vehicles.
We look forward to seeing you in the Palais des Festivals on the 9-11 June 2009. We also welcome your personal contribution as an author or exhibitor at what is certain to be a UDT to remember.
Mr Bernard Garnier
UDT Europe 2009 Conference Chairman
