3 questions for Pierre Éric Pommellet
Chairman of Euronaval
Pierre Éric Pommellet, the theme of this 30th Euronaval exhibition is “Towards High Intensity”. How is the global geopolitical situation affecting the naval defence professionals attending the event?
The seas have once again become an arena of confrontation and strategic competition. Crises in Europe, the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, together with the need to protect shipping routes, undersea cables and critical infrastructure, are forcing navies to reassess their priorities. For industry, this means very real pressure to increase production, strengthen resilience, provide support and adapt more quickly. The value of global naval defence production has risen by 50% in just two years, and the increase in output rates is now visible in shipyards. Euronaval is precisely where operational requirements, industrial capabilities, procurement authorities and international partners come together.
Innovation is a key driver of change. How is it being integrated into the naval sector, and at what pace?
The naval sector faces a particular challenge: ships are designed to remain in service for decades, while technology now evolves in a matter of years, sometimes even months. Drones, AI, electronic warfare, cybersecurity, sensors and software must all be integrated rapidly into systems while ensuring they remain safe and interoperable. This means balancing long-term major programmes with shorter cycles, from operational requirements and experimentation, through to procurement, production and feedback from the field. Innovation only becomes truly useful once it has been tested, qualified, made cybersecure, produced at scale and supported throughout its service life.
This is precisely what SEAnnovation is designed to achieve. Bringing together around 30 start-ups at Euronaval 2026, it aims to connect emerging companies with navies, major systems integrators and investors to accelerate technology integration and scale-up. The goal is to turn innovations showcased at the exhibition into operational capabilities as quickly as possible.
What are the highlights of this year’s exhibition?
This 30th edition promises to be particularly eventful, with more than 710 exhibitors expected in the year marking the French Navy’s 400th anniversary. It also comes at a time when orders are on the rise, creating a growing need for new talent across the industry. Euronaval provides an opportunity to showcase a dynamic industrial sector and the wide variety of career opportunities it offers, while encouraging young people to consider joining the naval industry. Students and jobseekers are therefore invited to join us on Friday, 6 November, for a special careers day organised in partnership with GICAN and CINav.
For me, three things stand out about Euronaval 2026: the opening conference on the renewed role of naval power in modern conflicts; discussions on information superiority, drones, AI, resilience and scaling up production; and, finally, the opportunity to bring together navies, major industrial groups, SMEs, start-ups, investors and international delegations. In just four days, Euronaval will bring together the technologies and partnerships that will shape the fleets of tomorrow.
- Aude Leroy
