Naval Group Takes 20% Stake in cortAIx France to Accelerate AI Integration in Defence Systems

Naval Group has acquired a 20% stake in cortAIx France, becoming a key partner in Thales’ artificial‑intelligence accelerator dedicated to critical systems. 

The move establishes a deeper industrial collaboration aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of trusted, cyber‑secure and sovereign AI for defence applications, while ensuring human control remains central to system design.

A new cortAIx centre focused on naval AI engineering will open in the South of France, close to Naval Group’s site. Experts from Naval Group’s Digital Excellence Centre in Ollioules will join cortAIx teams, bringing specialised knowledge of naval‑domain requirements and operational environments.

The joint initiative aims to industrialise AI technologies for integration into future defence platforms, supporting France’s ambition to deliver enhanced operational superiority amid rapidly evolving threats. Both companies emphasise that the partnership will accelerate AI adoption across defence systems while safeguarding algorithmic sovereignty and sensitive operational data.

Launched in 2024, Thales’ cortAIx network brings together more than 800 AI specialists across hubs in France, the UK, Canada, Singapore and Germany. Thales has invested heavily in AI research over the past decade, emerging as Europe’s leading patent filer in AI for critical systems and integrating artificial intelligence into more than 100 products.

Naval Group, which has placed innovation at the centre of its long‑term strategy, says the collaboration will help shape the next generation of naval warfare systems by pushing beyond traditional engineering boundaries.

Naval Group CEO Pierre Éric Pommellet said the partnership marks “a major acceleration for the future of engineering and naval systems,” while Thales CEO Patrice Caine described the alliance as a significant step in deploying sovereign AI into critical defence environments.