When:
24th June 2026 - 25th June 2026
Bookings:
Where:
Chancellors' Building, University of Bath, Calverton Down, Bath, BA2 7JP
event partner
Bronze Sponsor:
Learn from the defence industry leaders
Warship 2026 Submarines brings together international experts in naval design, engineering, and innovation to examine the technologies and strategies shaping future submarine capability. The conference will focus on accelerating underwater capability through collaboration, technical development, fleet management strategies, and advanced systems.
The event attracts defence professionals, industry specialists, academics, and technology experts from across the global naval community.
WHY ATTEND
Warship 2026 Submarines offers a unique opportunity to engage with the forefront of naval innovation:
- Discover the latest technologies and strategies for submarines and underwater capability
- Join expert-led discussions on fleet development, collaboration, and innovation
- Connect with defence, industry, and academic leaders worldwide
- Gain insights into trends shaping the future of naval capability
Registration Fees:
- RINA Member: £900
- Non Member: £1000
- Student*: Free
- Author: £200
- Additional Author: £800
- Concession (Recent Graduate and Retired): £350
- Concession (MOD/Navy): £700
* Please note: Students registering for this event must provide a valid RINA Membership Number. If you are not yet a student member, please find details on how to join RINA here.
(All prices are ex-VAT)
PROGRAM
Wednesday 24th of June
Wednesday 24th of June
| Wednesday 24th of June | ||
| 08:30-09:20 | Coffee and Registration | |
| Session 1 | Plenary | |
| 09:20 - 09:30 | Welcome Address | |
| 09:30 - 10:00 | Keynote | |
| 10:00 - 11:00 |
Roundtable 1: Setting the Scene: Understanding the Challenge Landscape
|
|
| 11:00 - 11:30 | Coffee | |
|
Session 2 |
Submarine Design Drivers |
|
|
11:30 - 11:50 |
Demystifying URN: Making Signature Requirements Accessible |
|
|
11:50 - 12:10 |
The Strategic Importance of the High North and Technological Implications for the Future of Submarines |
|
|
12:10 - 12:30 |
Q&A Panel |
|
| 12:30 - 13:30 | Lunch | |
| Session 3 | Stream 1: Optimisation | Stream 2: Human Factors & Autonomy |
| 13:30 - 13:50 |
Towards Seakeeping Criteria for Surfaced Underwater Vehicles: Linking Hydrodynamics, Operability, and Control |
Concept Design of a Large Unmanned Surface Vessel for Anti-Submarine Warfare Escort with Containerised Towed Array Sonar |
| 13:50 - 14:10 |
Accelerating Submarine Design with 3D Simulation and Modelling - Leveraging rapid three-dimensional CAD modelling to improve submarine hull design and support intelligent trade-offs between competing design constraints. |
A technical foundation to enable Human–Autonomy Teaming Integration and Human Factors Engineering within early-stage submarine design |
| 14:10 - 14:30 |
TBC |
A Three Pillar Approach to Lean Crewing Considerations for Early Submarine Design |
| 14:30 - 15:00 | Q&A Panel | Q&A Panel |
| 15:00 - 15:30 | Coffee | |
|
15:30- 16:00 |
Wargaming "Baltic Sentry" |
|
| 16:00 - 17:00 |
Roundtable 2: Collaboration: Delivering Submarine Capability Across the Industry, Government, and Academia
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|
| 17:00 - 19:00 | Drinks Reception + Wargaming activity | |
Thursday 25th of June
Thursday 25th of June
| Thursday 25th of June | ||
| 08:30 - 09:20 | Coffee and Registration | |
| Session 1 | Plenary | |
| 09:20 - 09:30 | Welcome Address | |
| 09:30 - 10:00 | Keynote: Annabelle Ransome-Williams, Programme Director, SSN-AUKUS | |
| 10:00 - 10:45 |
Roundtable 3: From Concept to Capability: Delivering Next-Generation Submarine Capability
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|
| 10:45 - 11:30 | Coffee | |
| Session 2 | Stream 1: Innovation | Stream 2: Design Capability and Practice |
| 11:30 - 11:50 |
Accelerating Submarine Capability Through End-To-End Digitalization: The Role Of The Digital Twin Across The Entire Design Lifecycle |
Engineering Collaboration for Underwater Capability: Insights from Adelaide University |
| 11:50 - 12:10 |
Can formal optimisation methods lead to a radical redesign of the submarine pressure hull? |
|
| 12:10 - 12:30 |
Advanced Hybrid Power System Integrating Modular Energy Storage, Metal-Fuelled AIP System, and Innovative Energy Harvesting for Sustained Subsea Vehicle Operations. |
The submarine naval architect: the arch collaborator |
| 12:30 - 13:00 | Q&A Panel | Q&A Panel |
| 13:00 - 14:00 |
Lunch |
|
|
Session 3 |
Submarine Capability and Survivability |
|
|
14:00 - 14:20 |
Submarines are different; their survivability needs a new approach? |
|
|
14:20 - 14:40 |
Submarine Acquisition - The Myth of MOTS Versus Bespoke |
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|
14:40 - 15:00 |
How big is too big: Comparative naval architecture of XLUUVs" |
|
|
15:00 - 15:30 |
Q&A Panel |
|
| 15:30 - 16:00 |
General Discussion and Closure of the Conference |
|
keynote
Annabelle Ransome-Williams, Programme Director, SSN-AUKUS & President Elect, Royal Institution of Naval Architects
Annabelle Ransome-Williams is a seasoned board-level leader with over 30 years of experience in strategic assurance, risk governance, and transformational delivery across defence, nuclear, and government sectors. She has operated at senior levels of national and international programme delivery, including Programme Director for the SSN-AUKUS nuclear submarine programme.
She is a Chartered Engineer, Chartered Project Professional, and Fellow of both the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (FRINA) and the Association for Project Management (FAPM). Her work has been recognised by the Cabinet Office, National Audit Office, and NISTA, previously Infrastructure and Projects Authority for best practice leadership in public sector delivery.
Annabelle brings deep insight into the naval outcome delivery, architecture of effective governance: developing performance assurance frameworks, scrutinising institutional risk, and aligning board oversight with strategic growth. She has designed and led major audit and control environments within complex regulated ecosystems, including private, third and public sector transformation programmes.
As a Windsor Leadership alumna and Gender Champion for the Submarine Delivery Agency, she leads with purpose, clarity, inclusion, and integrity. She is a visible and values-driven advocate for public trust, professional excellence, and diversity in leadership.
optional surface ship wargaming session
During the drinks reception, delegates will have the opportunity to take part in an optional surface ship orientated wargaming session, designed to explore maritime operations, capability aspects of warship design, and operational decision-making in an adversarial environment.
The session will be run by Professor David Manley, Professor of Naval Architecture, UCL.
What is Wargaming?
Wargaming is the action of playing a war game as a leisure activity or exercise in personal development, and the action of engaging in a campaign or course of action using the strategies of a military exercise. It is played using miniatures, counters, or in an abstract form, using a defined set of rules which reflect the perceived or actual realities of technology, capability, command and control, and involves gaming in an adversarial context against human opposition.
Within the session, participants will use structured scenarios and a defined set of rules reflecting these realities to explore maritime operations and capability aspects of warship design. The focus is on surface ship operations, including how maritime, land and air forces can work together in joint operations, and the assessment of capability choices affecting mission success.
Wargaming supports concept analysis and “desk level” operational assessment, providing an interactive way to understand complex maritime challenges. A prize will be awarded to the winning team.
Topics:
- Technology Insertion
- International fleet management
- Collaborative procurement
- Application of Intelligent Systems / Lean Crewing Considerations
- Design for Availability
- Digitalisation in Submarines
- Driving down through life cost
- Human-Autonomy Teaming and Human Factors Considerations in Design
- Innovative power systems and energy storage
- Novel materials and underwater application
- Streamlining build processes. Reduction of time and cost
- Survivability and evacuation (escape and rescue)
- Stealth Technologies
- Sustainability
- Quantum Technology
Abstract submission has now closed.
Registration:
Cancellations received in writing up to two weeks before the event takes place will be subject to administration charge of £200. Cancellations received after this time cannot be accepted and are subject to the full event fee. Delegates may be substituted; however, this must be sent in writing and confirmed with the RINA Events Team. It may be necessary for reasons beyond our control to alter the content and timing of the programme. In the unlikely event that RINA cancels the event for any reason, our liability is limited to the return of the registration fee.
Sponsorship Opportunities:
RINA events provide the perfect opportunity for effective and highly targeted marketing. Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities exist for all of our events. If you have any questions regarding the event or wish to discuss the available sponsorship/exhibition opportunities, please get in touch with the RINA Events team at
Personal Data:
Please note that personal data, such as name, company, and job title will be collected and provided in the delegate list format to the event attendees. No contact details will be included in the delegate list. If you would like to not be included in the list for any reason, please inform the RINA Events Team at
RINA events code of behaviour:
The Royal Institution of Naval Architects is proud to have a diverse membership and aims for all members, guests, and attendees to enjoy their time at RINA events. Just as we expect others to treat us courteously, we should also extend courtesy to fellow members, guests, and attendees.
If any attendee at a RINA event feels that another’s behaviour towards them is unwelcome, disrespectful, or undignified, they should inform the RINA staff member or get in touch with us at
Anyone deemed to be acting discourteously towards other attendees will be asked to leave the event.
Filming/Photography:
Please note that filming/photography will be taking place at this event for promotional and archival purposes. The photographs and recordings made are likely to appear on our website and social media. If you would prefer not to be photographed please let the Marketing team know at .