Spain hosts the 2026 Chiefs of European Navies Meeting

The Spanish Navy is organising this week’s Chiefs of European Navies Meeting (CHENS’26) a strategic forum that analyses the evolution of the maritime domain as a key space for defence, trade, energy and global stability.

Spain will host a new edition of the annual Chiefs of European Navies Meeting (CHENS) on May 6th and 7th. This year’s event brings together 35 senior naval leaders, alongside representatives from allied countries and international organisations.

This annual forum, which rotates among participating countries, provides a high-level space for strategic dialogue in the maritime domain, where analyses are shared, common risks are identified and cooperation mechanisms between navies are strengthened. Its relevance has intensified in recent years, in parallel with the transformation of the maritime environment into a central arena for Europe’s security and prosperity.

“Challenges to the international order demand a coordinated response”

Admiral General Antonio Piñeiro Sánchez, Chief of Staff of the Spanish Navy (AJEMA), underlined the decisive nature of the current moment: “We are meeting in a context of special strategic significance, in which challenges to the international order demand a coordinated response based on cooperation.”

The AJEMA also highlighted the international dimension of the meeting, which includes the participation of Ibero-American partners and representatives from the European Union, NATO and the United States: “Coordination between organisations and nations is more important than ever to safeguard freedom of navigation, defend international law and preserve peace at sea.”

Today, more than 80% of global trade depends on maritime transport, between 95% and 99% of global internet data is transmitted through submarine fibre-optic cables, and practically half of the vehicles we use are imported by sea. Ports and essential infrastructure make everything possible, from digital communications to energy supply. This dependence makes maritime security a direct factor in economic stability and public well-being: any disruption in this environment has immediate effects on everyday life.

From attacks on merchant vessels in regions such as the Red Sea to strategic competition in areas such as the Arctic, maritime events have an immediate impact on the global economy and international stability.

During CHENS 2026, participants will analyse different key regions, from the Baltic to the Indo-Pacific, including the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Red Sea, where recent incidents have highlighted the vulnerability of maritime routes and their global impact.

The CHENS programme is structured around working sessions, with debates moderated by Spanish Navy commanders. High-level speakers, with extensive experience in NATO and European Union operations, as well as in strategic planning and the command of naval forces, will share lessons learned, analyse trends and advance a shared vision of the use of naval power in a multidomain environment, where the sea increasingly interacts with the land, air, space, cyber and cognitive domains.

Beyond the content itself, the meeting strengthens personal relationships between naval leaders, an essential factor for effective cooperation in real-world scenarios. In an interconnected world, what happens in one part of the ocean can have immediate consequences thousands of kilometres away, making it necessary to share information, coordinate efforts and act jointly. “Only through understanding and cooperation will we be able to effectively face the challenges of the present and the future,” Admiral General Piñeiro stated.