Autonomous vessels, underwater sensors and dual-use technologies took centre stage as international delegations from Germany and the United States gathered at Nyhavna Ocean Tech for Dual-Use Demo Day 2026. The event brought together defence officials, industry representatives and technology companies to explore new opportunities for cooperation in maritime technology, security and resilience.
The Demo Day concluded a week of international engagement through the Forsvarskonferansen – Nordic Defence and Security Conference and the German-Norwegian Defence Dialogue. After several days of presentations, policy discussions and networking, participants had the opportunity to see emerging technologies demonstrated in real-world conditions along Trondheim’s waterfront.
For many of the international visitors, the demonstrations provided a valuable opportunity to experience the technologies firsthand.
“We have spent the last few days indoors listening to presentations and meeting interesting stakeholders. Today gives us the opportunity to see the solutions in action and engage with companies in a more informal environment,” says Johan Verbeek Wolthuys of the German-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce.
The German delegation included INFODAS GmbH, Constellr GmbH, Auterion GmbH and TYTAN Technologies GmbH, all of which participated in the Defence Conference, the German-Norwegian Defence Dialogue and the Demo Day.
According to Wolthuys, the goal is to strengthen cooperation between Norwegian and German industry, research institutions and public authorities.
“We brought together representatives from both defence ministries, procurement agencies and industry to discuss how we can achieve closer practical cooperation. This year’s discussions focused on topics such as unmanned systems, European resilience and lessons learned from Ukraine,” he says.
Among the visitors was Karola Höfener, Defence Cooperation Attaché at the German Embassy in Oslo. Before joining the embassy, she was responsible for German capability planning for underwater and unmanned systems.
“My role is to understand what capabilities are available in Norway and identify future cooperation opportunities. That is why it is extremely valuable to come here and see these technologies in action,” she says.
Höfener believes that Norway and Germany face many of the same challenges and that rapid technology adoption is becoming increasingly important.
“We need to test new equipment together with soldiers to make it operational as quickly as possible. The technology has to work, but it must also be easy to use. It is encouraging to see solutions that combine advanced capabilities with practical usability.”
She sees significant opportunities for future collaboration.
“I see considerable potential here, particularly in maritime technologies and maritime domain awareness. These are experiences and insights I will bring back with me.”
A delegation from Virginia Beach, on the US East Coast, also participated in the programme. The region is home to the world’s largest naval base, extensive maritime industries and a growing ecosystem for defence and autonomous technologies.
“We see many similarities between the ecosystem in Virginia Beach and what is happening in Trondheim. At the same time, there are tremendous opportunities for cooperation and mutual learning,” says Paige Fox of Virginia Beach Economic Development.
Cooperation between Virginia Beach, Ocean Autonomy Cluster and NORDSEC began earlier this year and has already led to delegation visits, webinars and business meetings on both sides of the Atlantic.
The relationship-building started even before the Defence Conference itself. The American delegation participated in “Bobler og sodd på tunet” at Storflor Gård, hosted by KPMG, where representatives from industry, technology and defence communities gathered in an informal setting.
“We have been genuinely impressed by both the people and the ecosystem we have encountered here. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming, and there is a real spirit of collaboration. One of the highlights of the visit was ‘Bobler og sodd på tunet’ at Storflor Gård. It is a beautiful venue and a fantastic example of how informal settings can bring people together and spark meaningful conversations. The event created a unique atmosphere where industry, defence and technology representatives could connect in a very natural way. That openness and willingness to collaborate is something that truly stands out in Trondheim,” says Fox.
Dominique DeBose highlights the personal connections established during the visit as equally important as the business opportunities.
“I had a great time and met a bunch of wonderful people. The technology and innovation are impressive, but what really stands out is the people. The connections we've made here are just as important as the technologies we've seen, and I believe those relationships will lead to future cooperation,” says DeBose.
According to the delegation, the combination of professional conference sessions and informal networking opportunities has been one of the highlights of the visit.
During the Demo Day, visitors were able to observe technologies developed by companies such as Blueye Robotics, Maritime Robotics, Eelume, Zeabuz, Clarify and Water Linked.
For the American delegation, seeing the systems in operation added a new dimension to conversations that had started during the conference.
“We met many of these companies during the Defence Conference, but now we're actually seeing the technology being demonstrated. It gives us a much better understanding of the breadth of capabilities and what these companies can accomplish,” says Fox.
The delegation believes several Norwegian companies have strong potential within the US maritime and defence markets.
A recurring theme throughout both the conference and the Demo Day was how emerging technology companies can connect more effectively with international markets and defence programmes.
For Wolthuys, creating opportunities for such connections is essential.
“Many companies are interested in becoming active in the other country. Networks, contacts and market knowledge are critical. Our role is to facilitate those relationships and help companies find the right partners.”
The Virginia Beach delegation sees similar opportunities.
“One of the biggest takeaways for us is how much we want to continue working together. We would like to strengthen our own demonstration and testing capabilities in Virginia Beach while incorporating lessons learned from Trondheim. That would also provide a stronger foothold for Norwegian companies entering the US market,” says Fox.
While technology demonstrations were at the heart of the event, the most important outcome may have been the connections created between people.
Along the quayside at Nyhavna, entrepreneurs, defence representatives, researchers, industry leaders, investors and international delegations exchanged ideas on maritime surveillance, autonomy, resilience and operational requirements.
For the international visitors, the day provided a glimpse into a technology ecosystem where industry, research institutions and defence stakeholders are working closely together to develop solutions with both civilian and military applications.
“This is a place where new ideas, partnerships and future projects can emerge. That is exactly why arenas like this are so important,” says Wolthuys.