EDA hosts shipbuilders

Maritime January 16, 2026

The European Defence Agency (EDA) convened a high-level meeting to define the strategic requirements and development roadmap for the European Combat Vessel (ECV).

The session involved representatives from seven signatory nations—Belgium, Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, and Portugal – alongside leading naval shipbuilders. This initiative follows a Letter of Intent signed in late 2024, which aims to produce a new family of frigates ready for deployment by the 2040s. While the initial group consists of seven Member States, the project remains open to additional European partners seeking to modernise ageing fleets and address the complexities of increasingly congested maritime environments.

The ECV programme represents a shift toward strategic autonomy and collaborative procurement, focusing on addressing critical naval shortfalls. Key areas of development include underwater and seabed control, information superiority, cyber defence, and above-water warfare, specifically including ballistic missile defence (BMD). Furthermore, the vessels are expected to serve as advanced platforms for unmanned and autonomous vehicle-enabled operations. For businesses within the defence supply chain, the programme’s emphasis on these high-tech domains indicates a sustained demand for sub-systems related to sensors, autonomous navigation, and resilient cyber architectures.

A defining feature of the ECV project is the “systems-to-hull” design philosophy. Unlike traditional naval procurement where a hull is designed and then fitted with equipment, the ECV approach prioritises technology first, with the vessel being designed around the required systems. This methodology provides significant opportunities for technology-led sub-contractors and OEMs, as the core capabilities will dictate the eventual platform specifications. The project is conceived not as a single ship type but as a modular family of vessels sharing common technologies while varying in size to meet specific mission profiles and national requirements.

The EDA has confirmed that the ECV will adhere to NATO standards to ensure full interoperability with allied navies and will complement the EU’s Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC). This alignment with NATO protocols is particularly relevant for UK-based suppliers and international primes who operate within these established frameworks. Jürgen Scraback, head of the EDA’s Maritime Domain Unit, emphasised that industry collaboration is essential from the outset. Once the high-level requirements are finalised, European industry will be invited to submit proposals for vessel configurations. This phase will be critical for contractors seeking to secure long-term roles in a project designed to achieve economies of scale and foster the development of integrated European naval training and logistics. For the UK supply chain, the ECV serves as a significant indicator of the future technological standards and collaborative models likely to dominate the European naval market over the next two decades.

©EDA

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