Naval Group has signed a new research cooperation agreement with France’s Inria and Norway’s Simula Research Laboratory, aiming to advance joint innovation in digital and maritime defense technologies. The agreement was formalized on June 5 at the Norwegian Club of Paris, with support from Innovation Norway.
The collaboration outlines areas such as communication systems, digital transformation, and naval applications—domains considered vital for enhancing future naval capabilities. The initiative builds on existing ties between the institutions and reflects a shared intent to strengthen scientific contributions to national and European defense ecosystems.
Naval Group described the partnership as part of its broader strategy to work with established research bodies in support of the Royal Norwegian Navy and allied maritime forces.
Inria, France’s national institute for digital research, has been expanding its role in national defense-related projects through its Program Agency for Digital Technologies. Its CEO Bruno Sportisse noted that the agreement aligns with ongoing strategic cooperation efforts and is expected to accelerate the development of defense-relevant digital technologies.
Simula, a Norwegian government-owned research organization, also emphasized the defense relevance of its work in data science and computing. Lillian Røstad, CEO of Simula, highlighted the value of the trilateral collaboration in contributing to both societal and defense-focused technological challenges.
Sigrun Daireaux, Director France at Innovation Norway, underscored the broader context of bilateral industrial cooperation, noting France and Norway’s long-standing history of joint development in maritime and digital sectors.
As part of the agreement, the three institutions will identify joint research topics and explore potential projects for further development. Naval Group reiterated its commitment to investing in collaborative innovation and expanding its footprint as a strategic partner in Norway’s defense sector.