Navantia, spearheading innovation
The International Defence and Security Exhibition (FEINDEF) was held once again at IFEMA in Madrid, showcasing interesting new developments in the military and defence sectors.
One of the entities with a strong presence at FEINDEF 2025 was Navantia. The Spanish shipbuilder had a large stand and presented important new developments in its civil and military shipbuilding activities.
Ricardo Domínguez García-Baquero, president of Navantia, played an important role in presenting the Spanish company's latest developments and innovations.
The main message conveyed by the president of Navantia is that the company wants to be a ‘spearhead of innovation’.
Navantia has a ‘naval legacy with more than 300 years of experience’, from the construction of sailing schooners in its early days to the manufacture of the most cutting-edge ships today. For Ricardo Domínguez García-Baquero, Navantia has been a ‘benchmark for technology transfer’ for the last 40 years, whereas before that period it was technologically dependent on other entities.
Navantia began its activity in Spain as the first national shipyard in 1717 and in recent years has expanded to countries such as Australia, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.
All this has been achieved with significant investment in R&D&I and a real transformation through strategic and sustainable investments.
The president of Navantia referred to improvements in competitiveness, digitalisation, sophistication and technological differentiation of products and processes to highlight his company's advantages over others. From 2019 to 2024, investment in innovation has reached almost 600 million euros, compared to only 300 million in the previous 12 years, as highlighted by Ricardo Domínguez García-Baquero, demonstrating the company's strong commitment to innovation and new technologies. Investment in R&D&I reached 10% of Navantia's revenue last year, up from 5.5% in 2020.
Among the various innovations, the president of Navantia highlighted the Integrated Services System, the intelligent system that ensures that each ship is always operational, optimised and ready, maximising efficiency and reducing costs throughout its life cycle. This advance saves on wiring for lighting, communications and sensors and reduces the weight of the vessels.
He also referred to the Digital Twin, an exact 3D virtual replica of the ship, which allows each system to be simulated, monitored and optimised in real time, anticipating failures, reducing costs and speeding up operational decision-making.
Navantia has 5.0 shipyards, the only ones of their kind in the world, as highlighted by the president of Navantia. An example of this is the new digital block factory with a digitised and robotised environment that integrates design, production and real-time control to build with maximum efficiency. This infrastructure serves to reduce construction and production costs by 7%.
Ricardo Domínguez García-Baquero also highlighted the Flat Panel Line, an advanced workshop with hybrid laser welding and digital control.
He also highlighted the design of cutting-edge products, with the most advanced ships in the world. These include the S-80 silent strategic submarine, the BAM-IS surveillance patrol boat, the FSS logistics support vessel, the Saudi Al-Diriyah (830) corvettes and the F-110 frigate, ‘the most advanced in the world’, which is an intelligent and connected platform, ready to operate in complex scenarios with maximum efficiency and autonomy.
‘We have got here thanks to innovation, which is part of our DNA,’ said the president of Navantia, who referred to major innovation projects such as those related to photonics, underwater drones and Monodon, Navantia's innovation cell with process optimisation, new technologies and a culture of innovation.
The president of Navantia also referred to the Centres of Excellence, which represent a new way of working to support technological and human capital and offer added value. These complexes serve as a platform for the exchange of knowledge between companies, universities, etc.
Another important new development from Navantia presented at FEINDEF 2025 is the USV Poniente, an unmanned surface vehicle that serves as a versatile, autonomous and modular platform designed for ISR missions for maritime surveillance and security. This vehicle can also carry surface drones.
‘The future is already here, and at Navantia we are ready for all the challenges ahead,’ said Ricardo Domínguez García-Baquero, who highlighted that the European Union (EU) considers Navantia one of its ‘trusted players’ for European defence. He also highlighted the company's important collaboration with various companies such as Oesia and Rheinmetall and its participation in various EU programmes such as NEREUS, related to naval systems and included in the European Defence Fund, valued at 64 million euros, a system of systems for future European ships to operate in an integrated and multi-domain manner.
Ricardo Domínguez García-Baquero said that the Spanish shipbuilder is dedicated to sustainable, modular, adaptable, autonomous ships with high technology and a high degree of cybersecurity. He highlighted the use of green energy to ensure a profitable and sustainable business.
The president of Navantia also pointed out that the company incorporates the latest technologies to help combatants achieve the best conditions, especially in relation to the Spanish Armed Forces.
He also highlighted that the current Navantia is celebrating its 20th anniversary, with people as its main asset. Ricardo Domínguez García-Baquero explained that more than 5,000 people work at Navantia and that his company is ‘prepared to face all challenges at the national and European level.’ ‘Together towards the future,’ said the head of Navantia.
