Naval Group has long been a trusted partner in the Middle East’s naval defense landscape, with a history of delivering advanced maritime solutions and fostering long-term partnerships. As regional navies increasingly prioritize defense sovereignty, the French defense giant continues to adapt, offering innovative technologies and robust localization strategies.
In this exclusive interview, we speak with Loic Gregoire, Vice President of Sales for the UAE at Naval Group, to gain insights into the company’s strategic vision for the MENA region. Gregoire shares details about key initiatives such as the National Combat Management System (NCMS) program, developed in collaboration with the UAE’s Tawazun Council and Marakeb Technologies. He also discusses the operational advantages of the Gowind® corvettes, the company’s ongoing efforts in unmanned systems, and its proactive approach to cybersecurity in modern naval operations.
1) What is Naval Group’s strategic vision for the MENA region, and how do partnerships in the UAE and KSA fit into this strategy?
Naval Group has a long going history of cooperation and technology transfer with the different navies of the region. Over the years, our focus has shifted from being just a supplier to becoming a strategic partner in developing sustainable and sovereign defence ecosystems. Strong diplomatic relations between France and countries in the Middle East, a focus on indigenous capability-building, and increased regional demand for advanced naval solutions have been some of the key factors. For instance, the confidence of the UAE in Naval Group’s expertise, as highlighted by the recent Gowind corvette program, underline our growing footprint in the region.
Localization is a key driver of Naval Group’s strategy in the Middle East, one that fully aligns with the ambitious visions of this region for defense independence and industrial growth. We work at developing long-term partnerships that empower local industries, job creation, and facilitate the transfer of critical knowledge and technology. In the UAE, we have been able to contribute to localization through various initiatives such as the Gowind program, which involved extensive local participation and underlined our ability to build technological partnerships with company like the EDGE Group.
2) Naval Group has recently signed a joint development agreement with Tawazun Council and Marakeb Technologies to develop the National Combat Management System (NCMS) for the UAE Navy. Could you explain the main objectives of this partnership and its strategic significance for the UAE Navy?
Through this agreement, Naval Group will deliver a full capacity of Combat management system to the UAE Navy through a Transfer of technology and Transfer of Know-How. The UAE Navy will thus be able to operate a national CMS that will be integrated in their naval fleet, for both newbuild and retrofit ship programs.
Early December, 2024 Naval Group has welcomed UAE National engineers in its centre of excellence for CMS in Ollioules, South of France. These engineers have started their training, thanks to a bespoke Transfer of Technology and Know-How, to become experts in CMS development and integration.
This first phase of 2 years conducted in France will allow UAE National engineers to acquire a strong expertise in the CMS software developments. This will be followed by a second phase conducted in the UAE, where the UAE National engineers will continue to acquire full autonomy in the domain of Naval Combat Management System.
The National CMS (NCMS) program, a major milestone in the long-term relationship between Naval Group and the UAE Navy. It paves the way for an even stronger cooperation with the UAE ; while its is, along with the Bani Yas program, the cornerstone of our relationship today, we are already planning for the future. The UAE have a role to play at sea and we are looking forward to working with your naval forces, your industries, and your research and academic centers in the coming years.
3) This agreement involves a significant technology transfer to the UAE. How will this transfer of know-how and technology strengthen its defense industry in the long run?
Thanks to this intensive and daring program, UAE National engineers will be able to make specific developments matching the needs of the UAE Naval Forces and to deploy them onboard UAE Navy’
ships for both existing one through retrofit program and new requirement, thus increasing UAE sovereignty in naval defense.
4) How does the Al Emarat Corvette enhance the UAE’s naval defense and protect its coastline?
The Gowind® corvette is a multi-mission combat ship designed for naval superiority. It offers multiple capabilities and is designed to perform at the highest level the full spectrum of naval defence and maritime security operations. Multi-role by design, it features capabilities in all warfare areas, carefully integrated from the earliest stages of the engineering process.
Robust, well-equipped and ocean-going, the Gowind® corvette is already sea-tested, tough and stealthy. Thanks to a Combat Management System designed by Naval Group and innovative structural solutions, it integrates the latest generation of sensors and weapons. More specifically, Gowind® provides:
– High performance in all fields of combat, integrated by the SETIS combat system and an innovative modular integrated mast (PSIM);
– Automated systems for simplified use by a reduced crew;
– Deployable resources (heavy helicopter, UAVs, RHIBs) to extend the ship’s combat capabilities;
– Scalability to meet customer needs and incorporate the latest innovations.
5) What kind of training and support does Naval Group provide to the UAE Navy to ensure the successful operation of the Gowind® corvettes?
We have signed an in-service support contract with the UAE Navy for the Gowind corvettes. We have just released à PR about that, you will find all information about it in there.
6) What is the SETIS combat system, and how does it improve the Gowind® corvette’ performance?
SETIS® scalable Combat System is the direct outcome of Naval Group’s long experience in designing integrated multi-mission combat systems. Based on lessons learned from the French navy in operations performed permanently all over the world, and the reputed knowhow of Naval Group in naval system integration, SETIS® enhances the performance of operational management, providing 3D integrated, and seamless close and long-range tactical picture, as well as augmented engagement capabilities, in asymmetric close range engagement as well as in high intensity operations.
SETIS is already deployed on the UAE Banis Yas corvettes and on French Navy ships and other international naval fleets. The UAE are developing their own National Combat Management system based on Naval Group’s SETIS through a transfer of know-how in the frame of the NCMS program.
7) What are the biggest challenges facing the UAE Navy today, and how is Naval Group helping to solve them?
In the Middle East, the navies are facing both traditional threats (other navies, missiles…) but also a resurgence of asymmetric threats (mine warfare, piracy, cyber threat…).
Naval Group is one of the few companies in the world with the ability to deliver complete warships with their combat systems and all the critical equipment necessary to engage naval power in a theatre of operations, addressing both traditional and asymmetric threats.
A main component of our innovation against asymmetric threats is the Asymetric Warfare solution (AsyW), a unique solution for panoramic surveillance and the fight against asymmetric threats and unmanned systems, covering the entire spectrum of maritime security (piracy, trafficking, terrorism, etc.), including airborne and USV threats (see Ukraine and Red Sea). This AsyW solution does exist for smaller ships such as OPV as well and are not only made for flagships of our customers.
The Multipurpose and modular launching system (MPLS) is an innovative product, that bring together all of Naval Group’s know how and expertise. The MPLS copes with any type of asymmetric threats, with a stealth design and a high loading capability. Easy to reload and to maintain, the MPLS can mix different types of ammunition (such as decoys, rockets, missiles or loitering munitions) thanks to its module technology.
Finally, thanks to its long-standing partnership with the French Navy, Naval Group is today the most experienced European industrial company in terms of Mine warfare. Naval Group offers “motherships” equipped with sea-proven solutions and has a recognised and proven know-how in the integration of all types of drones.
8) How does Naval Group keep its naval platforms up to date with the latest technology and defense needs?
A high-tech international company, Naval Group innovates to guarantee its customers competitiveness and technological superiority at sea. With the return of high-intensity naval combat and the affirmation of collaborative combat, the major challenge today is to prepare the naval force of the future, by offering sailors operational solutions in the varied fields of combat drones, logistics, collaborative combat functions, mission control aids, and naval force combat systems. Naval Group has been investing in R&D consistently for past years in order to master the new technologies and propose the best integrated naval platforms for our customer navies. In particular the area of energy efficiency (modern batteries, based on lithium ion technology), drones (unmanned underwater platforms of various sizes and missions, mission systems integrating different unmanned vessels, etc), and the use of artificial intelligence in underwater trajectory of platforms (drones) remains at heart of our development strategy.
9) What is the future of unmanned systems and autonomous technology in naval operations, and what role will Naval Group play in this evolution?
The evolution of the world’s geostrategic context and the extension of conflict zones across the world’s seas and oceans are forcing some navies to rethink the format of their fleets in order to ensure permanent presence at sea. Unmanned vehicles (UxVs) and autonomous systems offer a solution to this objective, as they enable surveillance and action to be extended in the air, on the surface and underwater, in permissive and non-permissive spaces, and without directly exposing high-value sailors and vessels.
- Naval Group turned the corner on UxVs more than 15 years ago, first conducting for the MinArm, alone and in partnership, the main research projects that enabled us to remove key technological barriers and test the first systems at sea (IND, D2AD, ESPADON, SERVAL, ELR SDAM, etc.), then investing in these technologies for the development of our UxVs, autonomous systems and underwater weapons.
- We have always maintained a strong link with surface and submarine armed vessels, and worked on launch and recovery solutions, as well as functional integration solutions (mission system and CMS interfacing), so that UxVs and autonomous systems can enhance the Navy’s operational capabilities. Naval Group is able to offer solutions combining unmanned systems and ships while guaranteeing operational performance and military effects for naval forces and navies.
- This allows us to be positioned across the entire value chain (ships, autonomous systems, force integration, services):
- Drone projection ships (1st NATO ship, Versatile, Digitalized, Cybersecure, Scalable)
- Drones & Autonomous systems: designer, integrator and producer of organic drones, autonomous combat systems, drone capability.
- Integration into Naval Forces: (Overall architect, Integration into naval collaborative combat, Multi Drone Mission System, Controlled Decision-Making Autonomy®, Implementation solutions from BS and SM)
- In Service Support (Naval base infrastructures, Launching, rolling, storage, Rerolling and maintenance, Training, Simulators, Leasing and “as-a-service” offer)
10) With the rising use of connected technologies in naval operations, how does Naval Group ensure that its combat management systems, drones, and autonomous vessels remain secure from cyber-attacks or malicious interference?
- Cyber Security is a key issue for Naval Group, concerning any warship throughout the whole life cycle. Priority is to ensure the ship’s resilience by protecting it against intrusions: resilient architecture, equipment and system hardening. Naval Group integrates cyber capabilities on board its ships from the outset, guaranteeing their resilience at every stage of their lifecycle. The digital systems on Naval Group ships are all protected natively (“cyber by design”), not only for the combat system but also for platform, navigation and control systems. Cyber security is also integrated into the development, production and in-service monitoring phases.
- Cyber Security is also integrated in our processes and supply chain management. As an integrator we work with trusted partners to provide embedded solutions enabling real-time cyber defence capabilities.
- This applies to the design of our UAVs as well ; they incorporate cyber security requirements from the earliest stages to guarantee the highest level of performance. Several on-board mechanisms based on proven encryption methods guarantee the protection of information transmitted or stored by the drone, including in the event of its loss or capture.
In the event of a cyber attack, on-board surveillance systems enable the drone system to detect and react accordingly, in line with its operational situation. All these measures are adapted to the nature of the drone (USV, UUV, etc.), its size and the range of missions it may be assigned.
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