Subsea Cables, National Defense and Brazilian Innovation: How BRS Robótica Submarina Stood Out in the Navy’s Protection Exercise

By Romulo A. Bacchiega

Between 10 and 14 November, the Brazilian Navy carried out the second edition of the Submarine Cable Protection Exercise off the coast of Fortaleza, Ceará. The operation brought together the Armed Forces, public institutions and more than twenty private-sector companies to simulate real scenarios involving threats to submarine cables — a critical infrastructure responsible for nearly all data traffic entering and leaving Brazil.

While the Navy coordinated a complex, multi-layered exercise involving naval, aerial and subaquatic assets, one particular national player drew attention for the technological consistency and operational maturity demonstrated throughout the event: BRS Robótica Submarina, a Brazilian company specializing in underwater robotics and inspection services.

Their participation not only illustrated the growing relevance of private-sector technological capabilities in the protection of strategic assets, but also highlighted how national innovation can directly contribute to strengthening Brazil’s sovereignty in the subsea environment.

According to Álano Lamônica, Operations Director at BRS, interviewed by Westhon Media exclusively for this article, the company’s entry into the Naval Cluster of Rio de Janeiro in early 2025 opened the door to a technical dialogue that eventually led to the invitation to participate in the exercise. “Our technological capacity and the alignment of our solutions with naval demands helped consolidate this approach with the Navy through EMGEPRON,” he explains.

A National ROV Put to the Test

The exercise simulated an intentional action against one of the submarine cables operated off the coast of Ceará. In this context, the BRS-developed ROV played a central role by identifying, locating and documenting the condition of the cable on the seabed.

“The ROV was deployed to locate the cable and generate visual and sonar evidence of its condition. From there, the Navy employed a wide range of assets — submarines, helicopters and surface vessels — to simulate the interception and inspection of a vessel conducting unauthorized activities,” says Lamônica.

The operation brought together high-level technological, naval and aerial resources, reaffirming the importance of interoperability between the Armed Forces and specialized private-sector companies.

Why the ROV Made a Difference

The system used by BRS incorporates an advanced suite of sensors and a robust operational architecture. Its multibeam sonar and dual 450 MHz side scans allowed rapid seabed mapping and precise identification of the cable, even considering its reduced diameter — a known challenge in real operations.

The multibeam sonar provided real-time forward-looking images with high definition, enabling safe navigation and precise target detection. Meanwhile, the side scan sonar produced detailed acoustic images of the seafloor, ideal for identifying linear structures and anomalies across wider areas.

“The combination of these two systems ensures fast location and safe, precise approach,” highlights Lamônica. He also emphasizes that the equipment was designed and assembled in Brazil, with engineering and integration carried out entirely by the BRS team in Macaé, representing a tangible contribution to national technological autonomy in subsea operations.

Operational Agility, Reliability and National Capacity

One of the greatest strengths of BRS in this exercise was its agility. Under appropriate contractual conditions, the company can mobilize a complete operation in as little as one day for shallow-water scenarios — a crucial capability in real-world incidents involving telecom infrastructure.

Its modular architecture allows deployment from vessels of various sizes, and the team’s field experience provided the confidence and operational discipline required for the simulation. Throughout the exercise, BRS followed established protocols of planning, communication and operational risk management, ensuring a high standard of safety and performance.

Despite the complexity of the joint operation — involving the Navy, Air Force, Federal Police, intelligence agencies and telecom operators — BRS reported no major technical difficulties. The company applied structured search methods, combined with its sensor portfolio, to identify the cable quickly and efficiently.

The Role of Public-Private Collaboration

For BRS, the exercise reaffirmed the relevance of integrating national technological companies into strategic defense scenarios.

“The protection of critical infrastructure cannot be done in isolation. When national companies actively participate, the country gains agility, innovation and an expanded technological reach,” says Lamônica.

He also underscores that the exercise strengthened relationships with operators, regulators and defense agencies, opening room for new projects, studies and technological opportunities to be developed in the coming months.

Submarine Cables as a Pillar of Digital Sovereignty

Brazil operates 17 submarine cable systems that sustain almost all national and international data flow, supporting sectors such as finance, government communications, online services, cloud platforms, industry and logistics.

The physical layer of telecommunications — often overshadowed by cybersecurity discussions — depends heavily on continuous monitoring and rapid response capabilities. In this context, companies capable of operating advanced underwater robotics play an essential role in national resilience.

Looking Ahead: Innovation and Strategic Preparedness

The exercise allowed BRS to identify potential areas for technological improvement, which will be evaluated internally before becoming formal projects. According to the company, the demand for underwater inspection and monitoring is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, driven by the expansion of telecom infrastructure, offshore energy projects, port operations, hydropower facilities and other sensitive environments.

“Our commitment is to keep developing technologies that respond effectively to the challenges of different sectors, strengthening Brazil’s ability to protect and monitor critical underwater environments,” Lamônica concludes.

The 2025 edition of the Submarine Cable Protection Exercise made one point clear: national innovation is not only capable of supporting strategic defense scenarios — it is becoming a decisive component of Brazil’s digital sovereignty.