The key facts
- France is renewing its attack submarines and frigates and preparing the France Libre aircraft carrier and SNLE 3G submarines
- France is modernizing its attack submarines and frigates and is preparing the France Libre aircraft carrier and SNLE 3G submarines
- The government signed an agreement to create a domestic ecosystem of maritime drone manufacturers
- The proposed 2027 defense budget is €63.4 billion, an increase of about €6.5 billion (11.4%) over 2026
Sea corridors are back at the center of geopolitics
Attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Russia's escalating strikes on ships in the Black Sea have returned maritime communications to the list of major geopolitical flashpoints. Against this backdrop, amid growing uncertainty over the transatlantic defense partnership, Europe is seeking to strengthen its naval capabilities and strategic autonomy. France, which possesses the world's second-largest exclusive economic zone, is at the forefront of these efforts: from November 3 to 6, Euronaval, the world's largest exhibition of naval and maritime defense equipment, is taking place near Paris, Euronews reports.
Fleet renewal and nuclear deterrence
At the opening of the exhibition, French Defense Minister Catherine Vautrin said the country is renewing its «attack submarines, frigates and support vessels», and is also preparing for the future aircraft carrier France Libre and third-generation ballistic missile submarines (SNLE 3G), which will replace the current generation that ensures continuous patrols at sea. France is the only European country with a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and the world's second-largest arms exporter after the United States. In March, President Emmanuel Macron, speaking from a submarine base in the country's northwest, promised to increase the arsenal of nuclear warheads for the first time since 1992. Since September 2025, France has stepped up pressure on Russia's «shadow fleet»: at least six tankers suspected of belonging to it have been intercepted and inspected.
A bet on drones and domestic suppliers
On Tuesday, the government signed an agreement to create a domestic ecosystem of drone manufacturers to respond quickly to the fleet's operational needs; unmanned and autonomous maritime systems have become one of the main themes of the exhibition. «One of the major revolutions of our time is the maritime drone. It incorporates artificial intelligence and allows doing more at lower cost and over greater distances», said François Vato, head of the maritime combat program management division at France's General Directorate of Armaments. In procurement, France gives priority to domestic and European companies: in 2024, 92% of the Ministry of Armed Forces' suppliers were local. Vice Admiral Éric Chapron, now a maritime advisor at Thales, called this year a strategic turning point: whereas exhibitions used to showcase technologies «for the distant future», navies are now focused on what can be delivered immediately.
Criticism of the monopoly and dependence on elections
Not everyone in the industry is satisfied: Martin Serro, CEO of inflatable boat manufacturer Sillinger, criticized what he describes as a monopoly of French «success stories» — major players such as Naval Group and Thales, which «tend to capture most of the market». The future of France's defense plans depends on the upcoming elections: the government has proposed increasing the 2027 defense budget to €63.4 billion — roughly €6.5 billion (11.4%) more than in 2026. Presidential candidates are also expected at the exhibition: on Wednesday, left-wing candidate Raphaël Glucksmann will take part; on Thursday, conservatives Édouard Philippe and Bruno Retailleau are scheduled, as well as far-right Marine Le Pen.
