Portugal hosts ARTEX26 European military technology exercise

European nations recently concluded ARTEX26, a three-week military exercise held in Portugal designed to test next-generation defense technologies. The maneuver involved the Portuguese Army, the European Defence Agency (EDA), representatives from 22 European states, the defense industry, and various academic institutions.

Focusing on lessons learned from the conflict in Ukraine, the exercises at the Santa Margarida military camp prioritized electronic warfare, drones, long-range precision weapons, and air and missile defense. Participants tested autonomous air and ground systems, logistics, reconnaissance, surveillance, and loitering munitions.

Industry leaders participated in the testing, including Valeryi Kulyk of Himera, who provides encrypted tactical communication systems resistant to electronic warfare, and Andrejs Pukitis of Rannon, who discussed developing specialized munitions to counter drones.