On Friday, June 12, 2026, the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff, Vice Admiral Dimitrios – Eleftherios Kataras HN, visited the Hellenic Naval Academy, where he was briefed on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) educational program entitled “MIT TRITON Summer School: Marine Robotics & Autonomous Systems Training Program,” which is being conducted at the Academy’s facilities.
This educational program is an initiative of the Ministry of National Defence and is implemented by the Hellenic Center for Defence Innovation (HCDI) as part of its mission to facilitate the transfer of international expertise, enhance the skills of Armed Forces personnel, and promote defense innovation in critical technologies. The program is carried out in cooperation with MIT and with logistical support from the Hellenic Naval Academy.
In line with the directives of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff (HNDGS) to capitalize on opportunities for joint-service education and training, the program brings together participants from Hellenic Army, Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Air Force, Hellenic Coast Guard, Hellenic Naval Academy, National Technical University of Athens, and private-sector organizations within the maritime technology ecosystem.
The curriculum combines theoretical instruction, laboratory experimentation, and hands-on practical application using robotic vessels. The practical component trains participants in the design, integration, and operational employment of autonomous maritime systems.
The Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff received a detailed briefing on the current training program from MIT Professor Michael Triantafyllou, Henry L. and Grace Doherty Professor of Ocean Science and Engineering at MIT, and attended a demonstration showcasing the capabilities of unmanned surface vessels. He also had the opportunity to meet and speak with program instructors Professor David Barrett, Professor of the Practice in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at MIT, and Andrew Bennett, Senior Lecturer in MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, as well as with the participants in the training program.
During the visit, the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff was accompanied by the Commander of the Hellenic Naval Academy, Rear Admiral Ioannis Retsas HN, and the Executive Advisor to the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Center for Defence Innovation, retired Captain Markos Vasilikos HN.
For the Hellenic Navy, the implementation of this program at the Hellenic Naval Academy is of particular significance, as it forms part of a broader effort to accelerate technological adaptation in cutting-edge fields such as marine robotics, artificial intelligence, and the integration of unmanned systems. Through the participation of its personnel in the program, the Hellenic Navy is investing in the development of a highly specialized cadre capable of contributing to the understanding, evaluation, and future operational utilization of autonomous maritime systems in accordance with modern operational requirements. In this context, and leveraging the experience, equipment, and expertise developed through the program, plans are underway to establish a laboratory at the Hellenic Naval Academy dedicated to marine robotics, autonomy, and unmanned systems technologies.
During his visit to the Academy, the Chief of the Hellenic Navy General Staff emphasized the importance the Hellenic Navy places on education, innovation, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies as key factors in strengthening naval power and operational readiness. He further stressed the need for Navy personnel to immediately capitalize on the knowledge gained through this training in support of the Fleet Headquarters’ requirement to integrate unmanned maritime vehicles as soon as possible.
The initiative is directly aligned with the priorities of the Ministry of National Defence under the implementation of the “Agenda 2030” framework, as it supports the integration of innovation, the enhancement of workforce skills, and the Armed Forces’ transition into a new era. At the same time, it highlights the Hellenic Naval Academy’s role as a hub for technological education, joint-service cooperation, and the transfer of international expertise in the field of maritime power.
Commander G. Laiakis HN
Spokesperson for the General Staff
