- Spotlight on Advanced Naval Technology and Defence Innovation
By Sangeeta Saxena
Parc de Expositions, Paris. 04 November 2024. Euronaval 2024 opened its doors today in Paris, welcoming defence leaders, naval officials, and industry representatives from over 40 countries. The biennial event, which stands as the world’s premier exhibition for naval defence and maritime security, showcased a range of groundbreaking technologies and set the stage for discussions on the future of naval warfare.
The opening day featured French Ministry of Defence, which highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation in responding to new global threats. Key themes included digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cyber resilience, and the integration of unmanned systems into naval fleets. The French Navy Chief, Admiral Pierre Vandier, attended several high-profile demonstrations and emphasized France’s commitment to maintaining operational superiority through technological advancement and strategic partnerships.
On the opening day of Euronaval 2024 in Paris, French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu underscored France’s commitment to bolstering its naval forces and advancing cutting-edge maritime defence technologies. His presence at the globally significant event reflected France’s strategic focus on maintaining a robust naval defence posture amid complex and evolving security challenges. Minister Lecornu toured several key exhibits, meeting with industry leaders from both French and international defence companies. These exchanges highlighted France’s intention to strengthen collaboration with its allies and industry partners to ensure state-of-the-art capabilities in naval defence. France’s naval industry, which includes both established firms and innovative start-ups, displayed advanced submarines, surface vessels, unmanned systems, and integrated solutions in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
A key theme of Minister Lecornu’s visit was innovation and the drive to adopt new technologies that will enhance France’s naval autonomy and operational effectiveness. He stressed the importance of unmanned and autonomous systems in future naval warfare and emphasized the Defence Ministry’s commitment to investing in these domains. Among the featured innovations were surface and underwater drones designed to perform reconnaissance, mine detection, and multi-domain defence operations in complex environments. The minister also used the opportunity to reaffirm France’s dedication to environmental responsibility within defence. With the French Navy moving toward greater sustainability, the Defence Ministry is increasingly incorporating eco-friendly technologies into its fleet, including energy-efficient propulsion systems and materials with a reduced ecological footprint.
Additionally, Minister Lecornu awarded the Euronaval Innovation Award to outstanding exhibitors who had contributed pioneering products and solutions, particularly those addressing emerging security challenges through digital and cyber capabilities. This move reinforces the Defence Ministry’s strategic direction toward fostering a highly adaptive and technologically superior naval force.
At Euronaval 2024, the premier naval defence exhibition in Paris, French Defence Procurement Minister Joël Barre reaffirmed France’s commitment to pioneering technological advancements and fostering strategic industry partnerships to secure the nation’s maritime defence capabilities. The Minister’s visit spotlighted the government’s dedication to reinforcing France’s naval autonomy and aligning defence procurement with the evolving needs of the French Navy.
Minister Barre engaged with leaders from various defence firms, highlighting France’s strategy to equip its naval forces with state-of-the-art systems that enhance both offensive and defensive capabilities. The showcase featured innovative developments in surface ships, submarines, unmanned vessels, and integrated command systems, underscoring France’s intention to maintain a high operational standard in a complex security landscape.
A focal point of the Minister’s visit was the French Ministry of Defence’s support for collaborative combat solutions and digital advancements, including artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity tools. These technologies are seen as essential to the success of future naval operations, allowing for heightened coordination and rapid response in multi-domain warfare environments. Barre’s emphasis on these areas underscored the Defence Ministry’s objective to adapt to both current and emerging maritime threats.
In addition, the Minister visited SEAnnovation, Euronaval’s dedicated space for start-ups, where he explored innovations from both French and international young companies specializing in maritime and dual-use civil-defence technologies. This area showcased groundbreaking solutions in underwater drones, robotics, and advanced sensors, reinforcing France’s commitment to fostering a vibrant defence ecosystem that nurtures fresh talent and agile technological solutions.
Minister Barre also celebrated the role of eco-friendly defence technologies, reflecting France’s growing emphasis on sustainable defence practices. He expressed support for advancements in energy-efficient propulsion and recyclable materials, which align with France’s environmental and strategic objectives.
During his visit, the Minister commended French industry leaders and their international counterparts for their contributions to a resilient and forward-looking defence sector. The event highlighted France’s focus on a high-tech, adaptable fleet, strengthened by innovative partnerships and France’s robust commitment to defence sovereignty.
Admiral Pierre Vandier, the Chief of the French Navy, made a notable appearance at Euronaval 2024 in Paris, underscoring the French Navy’s commitment to modernizing its capabilities in response to the demands of a rapidly evolving maritime defence landscape. The admiral’s visit highlighted France’s focus on cutting-edge innovation, strategic partnerships, and technological advancements crucial for maintaining operational superiority at sea.
During his visit, Admiral Vandier toured the extensive range of displays showcasing the latest advancements in naval technology, including autonomous systems, advanced weaponry, and next-generation warships. Engaging with leaders from both established defence giants and innovative start-ups, he emphasized the importance of these technologies in addressing current and future threats, particularly in areas such as digitalization, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
The admiral visited SEAnnovation, Euronaval’s dedicated area for start-ups, where he examined a variety of novel solutions for the maritime domain, including unmanned underwater vehicles, advanced sensors, and dual-use civilian-defence technologies. Admiral Vandier noted that these innovations have the potential to redefine the capabilities of naval operations and stressed the importance of integrating such solutions into the French Navy’s future strategies.
Highlighting the Navy’s focus on collaborative combat and information superiority, Admiral Vandier detailed how France is increasingly investing in systems that enhance coordination between surface ships, submarines, and unmanned vehicles. This collaborative approach, he emphasized, would enable the French Navy to act decisively and effectively in complex, multi-domain environments. He underscored that technologies allowing seamless information sharing and interoperability across platforms are essential to the success of future naval missions.
Admiral Vandier also took the opportunity to meet with key defence industry leaders to discuss ongoing projects and future collaborations, particularly in areas that support the French Navy’s objectives of sustainability and resilience. The admiral reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to eco-friendly innovations, including green propulsion technologies and recyclable materials, which align with France’s broader environmental goals.
In his concluding remarks, Admiral Vandier expressed pride in the advancements made by French industry and its international partners. He highlighted that Euronaval serves as a vital platform for industry and military leaders to exchange ideas, solidify partnerships, and propel the evolution of naval power. The admiral’s visit underscored the French Navy’s dedication to leveraging innovation and strategic partnerships to maintain a strong, future-ready fleet.
Day 1 featured an array of seminars and discussions, including sessions on the future of collaborative combat and cybersecurity in naval operations. Experts also spoke on the critical role of AI in real-time decision-making, reinforcing its importance for future naval command-and-control systems.
Over 1,400 B2B meetings were arranged for the event’s first day, connecting exhibitors with representatives from international navies and government procurement officials. The French Ministry of Defence led an extensive delegation, underscoring France’s position as a key player in the global naval industry and setting the stage for further collaborations.
The opening day emphasized sustainable naval innovations, with exhibitors showcasing eco-friendly propulsion systems, recyclable materials, and fuel-efficient designs. These advancements align with global maritime goals to reduce environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency.
Leading industry players, including Naval Group, Thales, and MBDA, unveiled their latest innovations, featuring everything from advanced frigates to cutting-edge weaponry. Notable among these was Naval Group’s latest advancements in submarine technology, emphasizing enhanced stealth, power, and collaborative combat capabilities.
The SEAnnovation area attracted significant attention, presenting a selection of promising start-ups working in fields like autonomous systems, underwater robotics, and dual-use technology. These companies, both French and international, provided a glimpse into the future of maritime defence, with many displaying prototypes and real-time demonstrations of their solutions for naval operations.
