Naval Group unveils SCX 26 concept warship at Euronaval

At the Euronaval 2026 exhibition in Paris, Naval Group unveiled the SCX 26, a conceptual 8,000 to 10,000-ton surface combatant designed for high-intensity warfare in the 2040s. The vessel features a split superstructure to improve sensor coverage and survivability, housing advanced UHF radar for detecting ballistic and hypersonic threats.

The SCX 26 is designed around modularity and drone integration. It includes a mission bay for deploying aerial, surface, and underwater drones, alongside over 100 vertical launch cells for missiles and interceptors. Key technological features include an electromagnetic gun, a 100-kilowatt laser system, and the Rampart modular turret, which allows for interchangeable ammunition to counter diverse threats like drones and missiles.

In a related development, France has committed to funding a large armed underwater drone demonstrator, with sea trials expected in 2028. The SCX 26 concept aims to address modern naval challenges such as saturation attacks, electronic warfare, and the need for rapid capability updates through containerized and modular systems.