Euronaval 2026 to focus on high-intensity naval defense and autonomous systems

The 30th edition of Euronaval, scheduled for November 3–6, 2026, in Paris, will focus on the theme “Towards high intensity.” The event expects over 700 exhibitors, marking a significant increase from previous years, with a particular surge in the unmanned systems sector where 60 companies are slated to present drone solutions.

Industry leaders highlight a shift in maritime defense requirements, emphasizing the need to integrate rapid innovation cycles—such as sensors, software, and autonomous systems—into naval platforms that typically have lifecycles of 30 to 50 years. This necessitates open architectures to allow for modular upgrades without compromising system availability.

Thales has announced it will showcase technologies centered on naval data dominance, hybrid fleet capabilities, and increased firepower. Key offerings include the ExaForce command-and-control system, sovereign cloud infrastructure, and AI-driven solutions like the ‘Pathmaster’ autonomous mine-countermeasure system. Additionally, market analysis suggests a significant rise in maritime defense budgets, potentially increasing from 82 billion to 122 billion euros.