The 30th Euronaval opened at Paris Nord Villepinte on November 3. Uncrewed systems were the main theme. Organizers expect 705 exhibitors, 40% more than in 2024, and the number of drone makers has tripled.[1] According to Reuters, European governments are moving quickly to strengthen their navies because they are alarmed by Russia and less sure of the United States as an ally.[2]
Opening the show, Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin said France had moved “from a logic of repair to a logic of rearmament.” She cited a draft 2027 defense budget of €63.4 billion, €6.5 billion more than in 2026, and announced new Aster and Exocet missile orders.[3] She also urged buying European, naming Greece, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands as partners.[4]
The ministry also signed a naval drone pact with industry. It is a framework for bringing the armed forces’ needs together with what industry can supply, and it is not itself a procurement. Specific orders were announced alongside it: a second deep-sea ROV from LD Travocean rated to 6,000 meters, eight Exail A18 mine-countermeasure drones, and a second, larger unmanned combat underwater vehicle from Naval Group.[5]
On the industry side, Naval Group presented SCX26, a drone-carrying warship it describes as a research concept.[6] It also showed the 37-meter Seaquest M uncrewed surface vessel, although the French Navy calls armed drones of that size “later increments.”[7] Other launches included:
- Saab’s CB90 CX, a boat designed for uncrewed operation from the start[8]
- BAE Systems’ Sea Tridon 40mm counter-drone gun[9]
- a one-way attack surface drone from KNDS and SeaOwl for port and ship protection[10]
Why It Matters
France is now treating naval autonomy as something to build an industry around, not just as a set of prototypes. The pact, the mine-warfare orders and the requirement for open architectures in supplier contracts[11] all point toward a hybrid fleet.
But there is still a gap between what was shown and what has been bought. Mine-countermeasure and seabed systems are being ordered now. Armed medium drones and drone-carrying combatants remain concepts or later steps.
[1]Le marin, “Euronaval. L’édition 2026 sous le signe de l’automatisation,” Nov. 3, 2026, https://lemarin.ouest-france.fr/defense/euronaval-ledition-2026-sous-le-signe-de-lautomatisation-avec-une-soixantaine-de-dronistes-presents-95c277ca-d786-11f1-b736-5b9907ef0b5a
[2]Reuters via US News, “European Naval Defence Industry Meets as Threats Drive Fleet Upgrades,” Nov. 3, 2026, https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2026-11-03/european-naval-defence-industry-meets-as-threats-drive-fleet-upgrades
[3]French Ministry of Armed Forces, “Réarmement : Catherine Vautrin appelle les industriels à se mobiliser,” Nov. 3, 2026, http://www.defense.gouv.fr/actualites/rearmement-catherine-vautrin-appelle-industriels-se-mobiliser-linnovation-production-cooperation
[4]Breaking Defense, “France investing in naval power as military ambition is ‘to be feared’,” Nov. 3, 2026, https://breakingdefense.com/2026/11/france-investing-in-naval-power-as-military-ambition-is-to-be-feared-armed-forces-minister/
[5]Defense News, “French defense minister kicks off ‘pact’ with industry in rush to field naval drones,” Nov. 3, 2026, https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/11/03/french-defense-minister-kicks-off-pact-with-industry-in-rush-to-field-naval-drones/
[6]Defence Blog, “Naval Group unveils SCX26 drone-carrying warship concept,” Nov. 2026, https://defence-blog.com/naval-group-unveils-scx26-drone-carrying-warship-concept/
[7]Naval News, “Naval Group Unveils Seaquest M MUSV as French Navy Weighs Armed Surface Drones,” Nov. 2026, https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/euronaval-2026/2026/11/naval-group-seaquest-m-musv/
[8]Breaking Defense, “Saab unveils new speed assault boat for Swedish Navy,” Nov. 3, 2026, https://breakingdefense.com/2026/11/saab-unveils-new-speed-assault-boat-for-swedish-navy/
[9]Breaking Defense, “BAE Systems launches new Sea Tridon naval gun series,” Nov. 2026, https://breakingdefense.com/2026/11/bae-systems-launches-new-sea-tridon-naval-gun-series/
[10]Reuters via Baird Maritime, “European navies go shopping for warships and drones as sea threats multiply,” Nov. 3, 2026, https://www.bairdmaritime.com/amp/story/security/naval/naval-ships/european-navies-go-shopping-for-warships-and-drones-as-sea-threats-multiply
[11]Shephard, “Euronaval 2026: Faster frigates, evolving contracts and drone motherships lead opening conference,” Nov. 3, 2026, https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/euronaval-2026-faster-frigates-tougher-contracts-and-drone-motherships-lead-opening-conference/