Navantia Unveils Next-Generation Naval Warfare Vision at Euronaval 2026.
Navantia at Euronaval 2026.
Navantia at Euronaval 2026: Navantia has unveiled its vision for the future of naval warfare at Euronaval 2026 in Paris, showcasing a combination of advanced combat systems, digitally connected warships, integrated air and missile defence capabilities and autonomous vessels. The Spanish shipbuilder’s proposals reflect how rapidly naval operations are changing as militaries face increasingly sophisticated threats and seek to make greater use of digital technology and uncrewed platforms.
The company’s presentation centred on three major developments: the Naval Combat Cloud, the F110 Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) frigate and the LASV-75 autonomous surface vessel. Together, these initiatives illustrate Navantia’s ambition to move beyond conventional shipbuilding towards the development of integrated naval capabilities in which platforms, sensors, weapons and digital systems work together.
The underlying idea is straightforward: future naval strength will depend not just on how powerful an individual warship is, but also on how effectively it can exchange information and coordinate operations with other assets.
Naval Combat Cloud: Connecting the future naval battlefield
One of the most significant elements of Navantia’s presentation was its Naval Combat Cloud concept. It is designed to create a more connected naval force in which information can be collected, processed and shared across different platforms and operational domains.
Traditionally, warships have relied heavily on their own sensors and combat management systems to understand their surroundings and respond to threats. However, modern naval operations increasingly require information to be shared between ships, aircraft, uncrewed vessels and other military assets.
A Naval Combat Cloud aims to bring these capabilities together through a common digital environment. This could help naval commanders develop a broader understanding of the operational situation, make decisions more quickly and coordinate responses more effectively.
Navantia is developing this approach through the next generation of its combat management system, known as SCOMBA NG. A central feature is its NASOS open architecture, which is intended to provide a common digital platform where the Spanish Navy, Navantia and other technology providers can progressively introduce new services and capabilities.
Importantly, the architecture is not limited to newly built ships. Extension modules could also allow existing vessels to benefit from technological improvements without requiring a complete replacement of their onboard systems.
Navantia and the Spanish Navy have also been working together since 2024 through the REPMUS exercises to validate technologies for managing uncrewed systems. This work includes NAIAD, which supports the development of capabilities needed to integrate autonomous assets into wider naval operations.
Navantia Showcases Digital Naval Warfare, Advanced Frigates and Autonomous Vessels.
F110 IAMD: Preparing frigates for more complex threats
Another major highlight was the F110 IAMD, an advanced development of Navantia’s F110 frigate family.
The Spanish Navy already has five F110 frigates under construction. The IAMD proposal seeks to expand their capabilities, particularly in integrated air and missile defence, while retaining their existing multi-role functions.
The need for stronger air and missile defence has become increasingly important as naval forces face a wider range of threats, including aircraft, cruise missiles and other advanced weapons.
The proposed F110 IAMD evolution is intended to improve the frigate’s ability to respond to these threats while preserving its anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities.
A key element is an increase in vertical launch capacity. This would provide greater flexibility in accommodating different types of missiles and tailoring the ship’s weapons configuration to specific operational requirements.
The proposal also involves transitioning towards SCOMBA NG and incorporating technologies such as the SPY-7 radar and the International Aegis Fire Control Loop.
This combination is intended to bring together Navantia’s sovereign combat system capabilities with technologies associated with AEGIS, strengthening the frigate’s role in integrated naval defence.
The Spanish Navy and Navantia are working together to define the development in line with the requirements of the Navy’s Armada 2050 vision.
LASV-75: The rise of autonomous naval vessels
Navantia also presented the LASV-75, or Large Autonomous Surface Vessel, developed by Navantia UK.
At 75 metres in length, the vessel represents a different approach to naval ship design. Unlike conventional warships, it has been designed from the outset to operate without a crew.
The concept reflects the growing interest in hybrid naval fleets, where crewed and uncrewed vessels operate alongside one another. Rather than replacing traditional warships, autonomous platforms could complement them by extending operational presence and providing additional capabilities.
The LASV-75 features a modular design intended to accommodate different missions. Its development also emphasises endurance and availability at sea, including the ability to operate in demanding conditions such as those encountered in the North Atlantic.
The wider significance of the project lies in the potential for navies to deploy autonomous vessels for extended periods without exposing personnel to the same operational risks associated with conventional crewed platforms.
European cooperation strengthens Navantia’s ambitions
Beyond its technological announcements, Navantia used Euronaval 2026 to highlight its commitment to European defence industrial cooperation.
The company signed a consortium agreement with France’s Naval Group and Italy’s Fincantieri for the second phase of the European Patrol Corvette programme, known as EPC2.
Navantia and Fincantieri are also progressing towards the establishment of a joint venture to support their respective national programmes and explore potential export opportunities.
These partnerships reflect a wider European effort to strengthen defence industrial capabilities, encourage collaboration and develop naval platforms that can meet the requirements of different national navies.
Navantia at Euronaval 2026.
A shift towards integrated naval warfare
Navantia’s announcements at Euronaval 2026 point to a broader transformation in naval defence. The emphasis is moving from individual ships towards integrated fleets in which digital connectivity, advanced combat systems and autonomous platforms play complementary roles.
The Naval Combat Cloud represents the ambition to connect these capabilities, the F110 IAMD illustrates the evolution of conventional warships to address more sophisticated threats, and the LASV-75 demonstrates how autonomous vessels could become part of future naval formations.
For Navantia, the message is that the future of naval capability will depend as much on software, connectivity and system integration as on the ships themselves. Its approach seeks to combine these elements into adaptable naval forces capable of responding to an increasingly complex maritime security environment.