June, a month full of information at Naval Group

Finally Naval Group reached an agreement with Australia after the submarine scandal

After canceling the contract for the manufacture of 12 Attack-class submarines in September 2021, the Australian government will pay compensation of 555 million Euros to Naval Group.

On June 11, NG issued a press release on this sensitive issue:

“Naval Group and the Commonwealth of Australia have reached a fair and equitable settlement to bring a conclusion to the Future Submarine Program. Naval Group has worked closely with and assisted its partners and subcontractors in Australia and France.

Naval Group pays tribute to all individuals, teams, and its partners who have worked and delivered on this program for more than five years. Naval Group also recognizes the important work of those who contributed to the discussions leading to this agreement.”

FDI HN program, Naval Group signs a framework agreement with Hellenic industry

On the 15th of June 2022 Naval Group and the Hellenic company MEVACO signed a Framework Agreement related to mechanical systems for the FDI HN (Hellenic Navy) frigates.

FDI Hellenic Navy

Following the intensive preliminary phase launched a few years ago for the localization of production activities in Greece, Naval Group has identified MEVACO as a key supplier for mechanical systems and metalwork equipment. Within the scope of the framework agreement, MEVACO will procure part of the mast, hull and mobile equipments.

The signing of this framework agreement illustrates Naval Group’s ambitious Hellenic Industry Participation Plan and demonstrates the Group’s commitment to develop and structure a strong industrial cooperation with the Hellenic industry.

In addition and following the same process, other agreements are on track to be signed with several other Hellenic companies in the coming months. Naval Group’s objective is to further develop its footprint in Greece through partnerships with Hellenic industry, research and academic partners.

The Framework Agreement with MEVACO illustrates the French-Hellenic cooperation dynamic also structured by the partnership agreement signed between GICAN (French Marine Industry Group) and SEKPY (association of Hellenic Defence Manufacturers) in February 2020.

Naval Group opens Mexico office

Naval Group recently opened a regional office in Mexico in order to promote its products and services and to develop partnerships in the country. Mexico becomes the 18th country where Naval Group operates.

This opening represents the first step of a long-term commitment of cooperation and partnership in developing naval capabilities in Mexico.

As a naval systems provider and integrator, Naval Group aims to share with Mexico its breadth of experience and unrivalled technical expertise in ships with combat systems and all critical equipment and services necessary to build and maintain in order to engage naval units in a theatre of operations.

Olivier Michel, Naval Group Senior Vice President Sales for Latin America said:

“The establishment of a regional office in Mexico is a new step in Naval Group’s strategy to develop the proximity with our customers, our international footprint and long-term partnerships in the country with the local industry. Such partnerships are a fantastic opportunity for transferring of knowledge and technology, developing and reinforcing industrial and technological capabilities as well as job opportunities.”

The opening of the representative office enables the group to identify synergies and partners to support the needs of Mexico and Central America.

The Belgian-Dutch rMCM programme

On 14 June 2022, Naval Group has laid the keel for the second of the twelve mine countermeasure platforms of the Belgian-Dutch rMCM program, the HNLMS Vlissingen, intended for the Royal Netherlands Navy. The keel laying ceremony took place in Lanester, in the presence of Vice Admiral René Tas, Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy, Commodore Harold Boekholt, Director of Projects of the Netherlands Defence Material Organisation, Lieutenant General Marc Thys, Belgian Deputy Chief of Defence and Major General Ivan De Tender, Belgian Material Resources Public Procurement.

Keel laying ceremony in Lanester

This programme was awarded in 2019 to Belgium Naval & Robotics, the consortium formed by Naval Group and ECA Group, following an international competition. It provides for the supply to the Belgian Navy and the Royal Netherlands Navy of twelve mine countermeasures platforms and around a hundred drones integrated inside a toolbox that will equip the vessels.

Kership, a joint venture between Naval Group and Piriou, is in charge of the production of the twelve platforms which are assembled in Concarneau and Lanester. They will be then all armed afloat by Piriou in Concarneau. Naval Group, as overall architect and prime contractor, is responsible for the design of the ships, the overall integration, and the testing and commissioning of the mission system (combat system and mine countermeasures system).

ECA Group, as co-contractor, is in charge of the unmanned drones’ system. The drones will be produced in ECA Group factory (Ostend, Belgium). The maintenance of the ships will be carried out in Belgium in close collaboration between the Belgian Navy and Naval Group Belgium, with the assistance of its partner Flanders Ship Repair.

Robotic mine warfare

Pierre Eric Pommellet, CEO of Naval Group said:

“I am very pleased to welcome our customers here in Lanester to take this new important step in the programme. The rMCM programme is a great story of cooperation between European partners, but also between industrial partners. It is also the story of a shared vision for the future of mine warfare and naval defence. Together, we are preparing the future of mine countermeasures by sharing a common game-changing defence solution”.

Dominique Giannoni, CEO of ECA Group added:

“We are very happy to be present at this ceremony alongside our partner Naval Group. All ECA Group teams are mobilised for the success of this highly innovative program: it aims at an unprecedented level of automation of mine warfare operations, with the coordinated implementation of underwater, surface and aerial drones. In close collaboration with Naval Group teams, we are developing an integrated and optimised system to meet the requirements of our Belgian and Dutch customers.”

https://www.belgium-naval-and-robotics.be -  https://www.ecagroup.com

About Naval Group

Naval Group is a partner to its customers' maritime sovereignty. An international player in naval defence and heir to French naval know-how, Naval Group develops innovative solutions to meet the needs of navies. Present throughout the entire life cycle of the ships, the group designs, builds, integrates and maintains submarines and surface ships, as well as their systems and equipment, through to dismantling. It also provides services for shipyards and naval bases. A high-tech company, it builds on its exceptional expertise, its unique design and production resources and its ability to set up strategic partnerships and successful transfers of technology.

https://www.naval-group.com/en

Photos credits : Naval Group