French warship builder Naval Group is stepping up its push into the European defence market, capitalising on the wave of higher defence spending across the continent. Executives say the company’s ability to deliver frigates quickly gives it a competitive edge over rivals such as Britain’s BAE Systems and Germany’s TKMS.
Export growth and new contracts
Naval Group, a state‑controlled firm with a €4.7 billion annual turnover, now reports that European customers outside France account for roughly 20 % to 25 % of its revenue, up from essentially zero in 2019. The growth stems from contracts in the Netherlands, Belgium, Greece and Sweden, and the company is now preparing a bid to build frigates for Denmark – one of Europe’s most closely watched defence tenders.
Speed and reliability as selling points
“One of the European market’s characteristics now is the need for rapid delivery with systems that work,” said Guillaume Weisrock, senior vice president for sales and business development in Europe and North America. Naval Group emphasizes that its production line is already up and running, allowing it to promise delivery times of less than four years for its Defence and Intervention Frigates, with a target of building two ships per year at its Lorient shipyard.
Recent deliveries and ongoing work
At the Lorient facility in western France, three ships for Greece are at various stages of construction or testing following contracts signed in 2022 and 2025, and a first frigate was delivered to the Greek navy last year. Steel is also being cut for the first of four frigates ordered by Sweden under a contract signed in August, while two vessels for the French navy are currently being built and tested.
“The main advantage our ship has is that it already exists, that there’s a production line up and running, and that we are delivering them on time,” said Jean‑Marie Dorbon, director of Naval’s frigate programme.
Competitive landscape
Naval Group faces stiff competition. It lost a contract to build Norway’s frigates to BAE Systems last year and is contending with Britain’s Babcock for the Danish tender. In Germany, the rival TKMS has been tasked with building small MEKO frigates after Dutch shipbuilder Damen failed to meet deadlines on a landmark German programme that was scrapped in June.
To secure contracts, Naval Group works closely with local suppliers. In Greece, it partners with Salamis Shipyards, and in Sweden it collaborates with Saab to integrate Swedish‑made equipment, as required by the Swedish contract.
Context of rising defence spending
European governments have sharply increased defence budgets in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine and perceived gaps in U.S. security guarantees. This surge in spending includes a focus on naval capabilities, creating opportunities for firms that can promise timely delivery and proven systems.
Naval Group’s 35 % ownership by French defence technology company Thales further strengthens its position, providing access to advanced sensors and combat systems that complement its shipbuilding expertise.
Outlook
With a growing share of European orders and a clear strategy centered on rapid, reliable delivery, Naval Group aims to solidify its role as a leading frigate supplier in the region. The upcoming Danish bid will be a key test of the company’s ability to translate its production capacity into new contracts amid an increasingly competitive market.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
