The mission of the NATO STO Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) is to organise and conduct scientific research and technology development, centred on the maritime domain, delivering innovative and field-tested Science & Technology (S&T) solutions to address the defence and security needs of the Alliance.

CMRE is an executive body of the NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO), which operates under the authority of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) through the Military Committee (MC) and the Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD).

CMRE is NATO’s world-leading research facility, providing expertise in maritime science and technology. It operates the Alliance’s only dedicated scientific research vessels, enabling cutting-edge experimentation, demonstration, and technology development in real-world maritime environments, from the Mediterranean to the Arctic. With over 60 years of expertise in undersea research, CMRE applies its knowledge to emerging maritime threats, including acts of sabotage on critical undersea infrastructure. The Centre advances capabilities in artificial intelligence, big data analytics, underwater acoustics, oceanography, autonomous systems, and quantum technologies—through NATO’s first quantum computing laboratory—to support the Alliance’s mission to safeguard security and stability at sea. As a hub for collaboration, CMRE brings together scientists, engineers, and military experts from across NATO nations to maintain the Alliance’s technological edge. Originally established as the SACLANT ASW Research Centre in 1959, later known as the NATO Undersea Research Centre, CMRE has continually evolved to provide innovative, field-tested solutions that enhance NATO’s maritime security and operational effectiveness.