By Chaitali Bag
Larnaca, Cyprus. 15 October 2016. It’s that time of the year when naval enthusiasts, navies of the world and maritime strategists are all set to congregate at Paris to enlighten themselves with the latest and best of naval technologies used by the men in white who are protecting our seas. Around 99 countries have geared up for the 25th edition of Euronaval 2016 to be held this year from 17th to 21st October 2016 at Paris Le Bourget.
Euronaval, since its creation in 1968 has been one of the exclusive platform to showcase naval defence and maritime security. The best of the industrial and state experts throng the exhibition and debate over the new challenges and technologies available to counter.
This year Euronaval shall welcome exhibitors from 99 different countries which is almost 10%more than the previous edition that was held in 2014. It is expected to get a footfall of around 25,000 professional visitors with 81 media partners and around 400 journalists. Euronaval 2016 shall be around six major themes namely naval defence, maritime safety and security, maritime environment, transport and infrastructures, services & research and engineering.
A special TV studio will be an addition to this year’s edition which shall interview the personalities present at the exhibition and shall be broadcast on Youtube and VIMEO channels.
Euronaval 2016 opening colloquium “Together for safe and secure Oceans” shall focus on maritime security and the new challenges and ways to deal with them. This year French ministry is also planning to organize some equipment items in exhibition, like the NH90 NFH(for NATO Frigate Helicopter), the ECUME or loadable multipurpose commando boat, The Atlantique 2, F21, Beach access mat and VBCI (armoured infantry combat vehicle).
The Euronaval trophies to be awarded this year are grouped under three categories. One for drones, robotics, autonomous systems, another for conceptships, vessels for the future, bio mimicry and the GICAN Award for digital, virtual and augmented reality.
Euronaval first organised in 1968 by GICAN via its subsidiary SOGENA was exhibiting only the production of French materials intended for national and international armed forces. GICAN (French Marine Industry group) since then has been the main organiser of Euronaval under the patronage of Ministry of Defence. EURONAVAL 2016 is supported by the French Ministry of Defence and the French Navy.
This exhibition area displays innovative SMEs projects that will shape the future of naval capabilities. All projects were supported by the French armament procurement agency (DGA). The DGA invests over 730 million Euros yearly in innovation, covering a large span of projects, from lab studies to prototype experimentations in an operational context. Visitors will have the possibility to meet both the SMEs and DGA representatives. Five SMEs will present their project during a short conference each day.
Short tutorials on defence related subjects such as export regulation or dual use innovation support will also take place daily, led by DGA officials. Schedule of these conferences will be announced on Euronaval website and booklet. Moreover, this place will be accessible for all SMEs to meet with representatives of the DGA, a B2B meeting area being made available to that end.
AIRBUS DS OPTRONICS/EBS, ATLAS ELEKTRONIK, BAE SYSTEMS, CURTISS-WRIGHT, DASSAULT AVIATION, DASSAULT SYSTEMES, DCI – DEFENSE CONSEIL INTERNATIONAL, ELBIT SYSTEMS LTD, DCNS, FINCANTIERI SI, GENERAL ATOMICS, GE’S MARINE SOLUTIONS, KELVIN HUGHES, KONGSBERG, L-3, LOCKHEED MARTIN, LOCKHEED MARTIN SIKORSKY, MBDA, MTU FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, NEXTER, RAYTHEON, ROSOBORONEXPORT, SAAB, SAFRAN ELECTRONICS & DEFENSE SCHIEBEL, SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC, TEXTRON SYSTEMS, TERMA A/S, THALES, THYSSENKRUPP MARINE SYSTEMS, V-22 TEAM OSPREY, are some of the industry representatives who are exhibitors at the show.
India became a part of Euronaval in 2014 and this year India shall be represented by Brahmos Aerospace, MKUand some more.
The GICAN is particularly involved in innovation and technologies of the future. It cofacilitates the Naval Solutions – “Tomorrow’s transportation” programme with the State and the CORICAN (Orientation Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Naval Activities). These programmes and tools make it possible to focus research and innovation in line with the public policy strategy adapted by the industry’s strategic committee and to contribute to development in French businesses, particularly SMEs.
The GICAN leads technological roadmaps that group businesses together, including a number of innovative SMEs, focusing on issues that promote “Vessel for the future” and “Safe, smart, clean and economic vessels”.
ADU will keep you all updated on the activities at the show by live coverage. Don’t forget to visit this space.
