08/06/26 (Agence Europe) – NATO’s research vessel ‘Alliance’ left La Spezia (Italy) on Saturday 6 June bound for the High North and the Arctic, marking the launch of Task Force X (TFX)-Arctic, NATO announced the same day. Led by Allied Command Transformation, TFX-Arctic aims to demonstrate for the first time how networked uncrewed systems, under ultimate human control, can provide permanent multi-domain situational awareness in North Atlantic, Arctic and High North, according to NATO. The vessel will call off Iceland for the first phase of an 18-month experimental programme. Technology trials, as well as their interconnection and data-sharing in Arctic conditions, will continue in 2026 and 2027, with a large-scale demonstration planned for summer 2027. The Task Force X-Arctic supports Arctic Sentry. (CG)