--- eventsindex_id: "EI-06258" slug: udt-europe-undersea-defence-technology title: "UDT Undersea Defence Technology" title_alt: ["UDT", "UDT Europe", "Undersea Defence Technology"] canonical_url: "https://eventsindex.org/events/udt-europe-undersea-defence-technology.html" next_edition_year: 2027 date_start: "2027-04-06" date_end: "2027-04-08" venue: "SEC Event Campus" city: "Glasgow" country: "United Kingdom" organiser: "Clarion Defence & Security" organiser_url: "https://www.clarion-defence.com" b2b: true vector: sector: [defence] audience: [military, government, industry, researcher, procurement] format: [exhibition, conference] purpose: [business, networking, procurement, education, innovation] geography_scope: [global] season: spring meta_description: "UDT 2027, 6-8 Apr, SEC Glasgow. Europe's leading undersea defence conference, 37th edition: 1,500+ visitors, submarines, sonar, autonomous systems." editorial_take: "After 37 years, UDT remains the one place where submarine programme managers, sonar engineers, and autonomous-systems innovators sit in the same highly technical conference room." generated_by: "claude-max-cowork" last_verified: "2026-06-10" variables_filled: 38/58 language: "en" schema_version: "v6.0" --- # UDT Undersea Defence Technology > *Europe's leading exhibition and conference dedicated to undersea defence technology, held over three days each spring and now in its 37th year. UDT 2027 takes place at the SEC Event Campus in Glasgow, Scotland, from 6-8 April, gathering researchers, military end-users, Ministries of Defence, and industry professionals from across the international naval and undersea security community. Organised by Clarion Defence and Security, it is the global reference point for submarine technology, sonar systems, autonomous underwater vehicles, and related undersea capabilities.* --- ## Quick Facts | DATES | VENUE | ORGANISER | ATTENDANCE | |---|---|---|---| | **6-8 April 2027** | **SEC Event Campus, Glasgow** | **Clarion Defence and Security** | **1,500+ visitors** | | 3 days, annual | Glasgow, Scotland, UK | Commercial event organiser | 130+ exhibiting organisations | --- ## Definition Undersea Defence Technology (UDT) is a three-day international exhibition and conference focused exclusively on undersea defence and security. It is the largest dedicated exhibition and conference of its kind in Europe and is now in its 37th edition. UDT gathers researchers, military end-users, national Ministries of Defence, and industry professionals spanning the entire naval supply chain, from submarine prime contractors to specialist SMEs and academic institutions. The event is organised by Clarion Defence and Security, part of Clarion Events. After editions in London (2026) and other European cities, UDT 2027 moves to SEC Glasgow, Scotland, from 6-8 April 2027. ## History and origin UDT was established in 1991 and has been held continuously for more than three decades, making it one of the longest-running specialist defence events in Europe. Over 37 editions it has followed the evolution of undersea defence from Cold War submarine competition through the post-Soviet era and into the current period of renewed great-power competition at sea. The event rotates between European venues: past editions have been held in Hamburg, Liverpool, Rotterdam, London, Stockholm, and Gothenburg. The 2026 edition took place in London. UDT also has an Australian sister event, UDT Australia, reflecting the global reach of the undersea defence community. ## The 2027 edition: Scotland debut UDT 2027 is the first time the event has been held in Glasgow, Scotland, taking place at the SEC Event Campus from 6-8 April 2027. The move to Scotland is significant given the UK's naval infrastructure in the region, including HMNB Clyde (Faslane) as the home of the UK's nuclear submarine fleet and the Rosyth naval base. Registration of interest for UDT 2027 was open via udt-global.com as of June 2026; full exhibitor and attendee registration was expected to open later in 2026. The 2026 London edition achieved a record level of exhibitor diversity, with both prime contractors and SMEs participating, a trend that creates increased opportunities for first-time exhibitors at the 2027 Scotland edition. ## Where UDT sits in the defence calendar UDT occupies the spring window, typically in April, placing it ahead of the major summer airshows (RIAT, Farnborough, Paris) and the large autumn land-forces shows. Its closest comparator in the maritime and naval space is Euronaval (Paris, biennial, autumn) and DSEI's naval component. UDT's distinguishing characteristic is its exclusive focus on the undersea domain: it is not a generalist naval event but a specialist conference and exhibition where the conference is described by the organiser as the only highly technical undersea defence conference globally. It competes for the calendar with niche submarine conferences but has no direct equivalent at its scale and with its combination of exhibition and technical conference. ## Who attends UDT Visitors number more than 1,500 from across the international undersea defence supply chain. The audience includes: - Senior military end-users: submarine commanders, naval programme managers, and procurement officials from European and international Ministries of Defence - Prime contractors and systems integrators: companies building submarines and major undersea weapon and sensor systems - Technology suppliers: sonar manufacturers, propulsion specialists, autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) developers, navigation and communications companies - SMEs and innovators: smaller companies entering the undersea technology market or bringing novel solutions to the Pitch Stage - Academic and research institutions working on undersea science and technology - NATO representatives and allied defence attaches According to the organiser, 85% of visitors consider UDT the ideal platform to meet key prospects, and three in four organisations meet new clients at the show. ## What the UDT format includes UDT is structured around three complementary elements: - **Exhibition:** around 130 or more exhibiting organisations display products and services across the undersea defence domain, from submarine systems and torpedoes to sensors, communications, autonomy, and life-support equipment. - **Conference:** described as the only highly technical undersea defence conference in the event calendar. Sessions feature NATO representatives and global industry experts addressing submarine capability, alliance cooperation, and emerging technologies. The 2026 conference theme was "Advantage through undersea technology." - **Pitch Stage:** a dedicated stage within the exhibition for smaller and innovative companies to present products and technologies directly to military and industry buyers. The Pitch Stage agenda is published on the event website. - **Networking:** structured networking sessions are built into the programme; the three-day format allows extended relationship-building. ## What UDT covers Core technical and strategic pillars: - Submarine design, construction, and in-service support - Torpedo and undersea weapons systems - Sonar and acoustic detection technologies - Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and unmanned undersea systems (UUS) - AI-powered undersea navigation and threat identification - Silent propulsion and power systems - Undersea communications and networking - Mine countermeasures - Ocean surveillance and seabed warfare - NATO undersea strategy and allied cooperation - Dual-use undersea technologies and civilian-military crossover ## The 2026 edition in numbers *(organiser-declared)* | | | |---|---| | Edition | 36th (London, 2026) | | Visitors | 1,500+ | | Exhibiting organisations | 130+ (record exhibitor diversity in 2026) | | Key metric | 85% of visitors rate UDT ideal to meet key prospects | | New clients met | 3 in 4 organisations report meeting new clients | | Sister event | UDT Australia (Adelaide, December 2026) | | UDT 2027 | Glasgow, 6-8 April | --- ## FAQ - Identity and audience ### Is UDT open to civilian researchers and academics? Yes. UDT explicitly welcomes academic institutions and research organisations alongside industry and military end-users. The conference programme includes academic research presentations, and the event is attended by university and government research laboratory representatives. ### What is the Pitch Stage? The Pitch Stage is a dedicated on-exhibition-floor stage where smaller and innovative companies present their technologies directly to attending buyers, military personnel, and investors. It is designed to give visibility to companies that may not have a full exhibition stand. ### Does UDT cover surface naval topics? UDT's scope extends from subsea to space in the words of the organiser, but its core focus and identity is the undersea domain: submarines, autonomous underwater systems, sonar, and related technologies. Surface naval platforms and topics are not the primary subject matter. --- ## The venue: SEC Event Campus, Glasgow The SEC Event Campus (Scottish Event Campus) is located at Royal Exhibition Way, Glasgow G3 8YW, on the north bank of the River Clyde in Glasgow's Finnieston district. It is Scotland's largest event and conference venue, incorporating the SEC Centre, the SEC Armadillo, and the OVO Hydro arena. The venue is directly adjacent to the Glasgow Science Centre and the Clyde waterfront. It is accessible by public transport (Argyle Street rail line, First Scotrail, and Glasgow Subway at Exhibition Centre station), by car (M8 motorway, 5 minutes), and is approximately 13 miles from Glasgow Airport (GLA) with regular bus and rail connections. Glasgow International Airport serves multiple European hubs, and Edinburgh Airport (EDI) is approximately 50 miles to the east. ## The organiser: Clarion Defence and Security Clarion Defence and Security is a division of Clarion Events, one of the UK's largest independent events businesses. Clarion Defence and Security specialises in professional events for the global defence and security market, operating a portfolio that includes UDT (undersea), DSEI (land, sea, air, cyber, and special forces, London), and other specialist shows. Its registered address is in London, UK. Clarion Events is headquartered in London and operates internationally. For UDT specifically, the organiser maintains a dedicated website at udt-global.com and a customer service function at udt-global.freshdesk.com. --- ## Editorial take *After 37 years, UDT remains the one place where submarine programme managers, sonar engineers, and autonomous-systems innovators sit in the same highly technical conference room.* --- ## How to register and what it costs Visitor and exhibitor registration for UDT 2027 was open as "register interest" via udt-global.com as of June 2026; full registration details and pricing were not yet published. Visitor attendance is by professional registration: UDT operates an admission policy requiring attendees to demonstrate relevant professional credentials (see udt-global.com/contact/policies/admission-policy). The event is not open to the general public. Exhibitors must submit a stand enquiry form via the official website. Sponsorship enquiries are handled separately through the exhibit section of udt-global.com. ## FAQ - Access and practicalities ### Who is eligible to attend UDT as a visitor? UDT operates an admission policy. Attendance is restricted to professionals with a relevant connection to the undersea defence and security industry, including military and government personnel, industry employees, and academic researchers. The full admission policy is published at udt-global.com/contact/policies/admission-policy. ### When will full registration open for UDT 2027? As of June 2026, registration of interest was open. Full exhibitor and visitor registration was expected to open later in 2026. Check udt-global.com for updates. ### Is UDT subject to export control or security restrictions for attendees? UDT is a defence industry event and operates a compliance policy. Attendees and exhibitors should review the compliance policy at udt-global.com/contact/policies/compliance-policy before attending. --- ## First time at UDT? How to prepare - **Register your interest early and review the admission policy.** UDT is not open to the general public; professional eligibility must be established. Visit udt-global.com and complete the interest registration as soon as it opens, and read the admission policy to confirm your eligibility before planning travel. - **Study the conference programme before arriving.** UDT's conference is described as the only highly technical undersea defence conference in the market. Sessions cover very specific technical and strategic subjects; reviewing the agenda in advance (available on udt-global.com) will let you select the papers and panels most relevant to your work and avoid spending the three days navigating a large programme blind. - **Walk the Pitch Stage on day one.** The Pitch Stage showcases smaller innovative companies that may not have large stands elsewhere on the floor. For procurement teams and investors, it is often where the most novel solutions are presented; visiting it early ensures you do not miss companies with later-day slots. - **Use the show's networking infrastructure.** UDT actively promotes its networking sessions and matchmaking opportunities. Three-quarters of organisations attending report meeting new clients; book meetings in advance where the system permits, and use the conference coffee breaks to follow up on stand conversations. - **Glasgow in April: plan for variable weather and limited accommodation.** The SEC is on the River Clyde and Glasgow in early April can be cold, wet, or fine in rapid succession. Book accommodation in Glasgow city centre (within a short taxi or Subway ride of the SEC) well in advance, as the city also hosts other events in spring. --- ## Resources | Resource | URL | |---|---| | Official website | https://udt-global.com/ | | LinkedIn | not disclosed (Clarion Defence corporate: https://www.clarion-defence.com) | | X | not disclosed | | Register interest | https://udt-global.com/register-interest-2027 | | Stand enquiry | https://udt-global.com/exhibit/make-a-stand-enquiry | | Conference overview | https://udt-global.com/conference/overview | | UDT Australia | https://www.udt-australia.com/ | --- **Last verified:** 2026-06-10 **Next review:** 2026-10-10 **Notes:** Data sourced from udt-global.com fetched 2026-06-10. UDT 2027 venue (SEC Glasgow) and dates (6-8 April 2027) confirmed on official website. Visitor figures (1,500+) and exhibitor numbers (130+) are organiser-declared based on recent editions. Full registration and pricing for 2027 not yet published. "37th edition" designation sourced from official UDT history page. UDT 2026 was held in London; 2027 is confirmed for Glasgow. Compliance and admission policies referenced as per official site. **Variables:** 38/58 **Concept definition:** applicable