DCNS Group

CNS designs and builds submarines and surface combatants, develops associated systems and infrastructure, and offers a full range of services to naval bases and shipyards. The Group has also expanded its focus into marine renewable energy.

NAVAL

Monitor the Coastline

States have the task of keeping watch over and safeguarding their coastline to ensure the security and protection of the maritime approaches to their territory. In addition to defensive actions aimed at protecting their sovereignty, they must also fight against illegal trafficking and be in a position to respond to the traditional risks of maritime activities. To meet the needs of its Navy customers, DCNS designs ships capable of carrying out all these missions. The Group also develops combat and surveillance management systems and can integrate aerial drones into ships to increase their surveillance and threat identification capacity.

Securing the Oceans

Because the oceans play a central role in the development of the world economy, Navies have the task of monitoring them to ensure that goods can circulate freely, keeping the peace and defending national interests. They carry out both preventive actions and power-projection actions in the event of conflict. DCNS produces every type of ship required for the deployment of a naval aviation force, such as aircraft carriers, landing helicopter docks, frigates, diesel submarines and Ship Submersible Nuclear. The Group designs and manufactures torpedoes, counter-measures systems and combat systems and also offers complete mine warfare solutions.

Provide a Deterrent

Dissuasion is the keystone of France’s defence. It is purely defensive, protecting the vital interests of the nation and its allies by guaranteeing a retaliatory nuclear strike. In France, the ocean-going strategic nuclear force, which is the main component of France’s strategic nuclear forces, is built around four Sub-Surface Ballistic Nuclear of Le Triomphant class. These second-generation SSBN, adapted to the new M51 missile, were all designed by DCNS. They are invulnerable, offering unprecedented acoustic discretion, an effective combat system and an ultra-reliable propulsion system, all of which guarantees permanent dissuasion.

Support a Naval Force

As a naval prime contractor, shipbuilder and systems integrator, DCNS also invents solutions for providing logistical support for naval forces and keeping them operational for missions in their deployment zones. For example, the Group has designed a range of Multipurpose Support for Force Projection vessels. These extremely versatile ships are capable of supplying the fleet with food, equipment, ammunition and troop reinforcements and can also offer repair capacity. The Group has also developed a surface combatant and submarine management system that allows reduced crews to manoeuvre and control the ship easily and makes their missions safer and easier.

Maintain Naval Force Availability

At a time of increasing threat on the high seas and more naval operations between allies, the availability and modernization of the fleet is a major challenge for Navies. DCNS takes these concerns on board at a very early stage in its programmes by designing ships that can be maintained more quickly and simply. The Group carries out life support operations and modernizes vessels, naval bases and shipyards all over the world, always with a close eye on deadlines and costs. DCNS also offers training and consultancy services in all these areas to help its customers acquire and maintain skills.

ENERGY

Marine Renewable Energies

The need for alternative energies being an environmental challenge, DCNS started working in 2008 on marine renewable energies; an area in which there are significant technological and industrial synergies with naval defense, the Group’s historical core business. DCNS is investing in four major technologies: tidal-current energy, converted using tidal turbines; ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), which exploits water temperature gradient for the continuous production of electricity; offshore wind energy, converted using floating wind turbines.

Civil Nuclear Engineering

Building on its expertise in nuclear systems for naval defence, DCNS designs high-technology solutions in the civil nuclear field. The DCNS group is working with the major contracting entities in the French nuclear industry – AREVA, the CEA and EDF – placing at their disposal its equipment manufacturing, installation, engineering and project management capabilities. DCNS offers its skills in the production of safety-class equipment and in nuclear infrastructure engineering and project management services.