Euronaval 2026 Meets Amidst Global Maritime Defense Threats

Shipbuilders, missile makers and drone manufacturers showcased their wares at an arms fair starting near Paris on Tuesday, as European governments, doubting the United States as a defence ally and alarmed by Russian aggression, rush to bolster navies.

The increasing use of drones at sea, attacks on critical undersea infrastructure and the targeting of commercial shipping in conflicts including in the Middle East mark a shift in the challenges that European naval forces face.

Last month, NATO said it would send more maritime patrol aircraft and drones to the Black Sea in response to a spate of deadly drone attacks on cargo vessels off the Romanian and Bulgarian coasts linked to Russia's war in Ukraine.

Organisers expect a record number of exhibitors at the November 3-6 Euronaval defence exhibition, rising 45% from the previous edition two years ago. The market for military and paramilitary shipbuilding was worth $122 billion globally in 2024-2025, up 50% from two years prior, the organisers say.

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