EU member states start work on project for next-generation warship for the 2040s

In the wake of increasingly complex security crises around the world, calls have been increasing for the EU to prioritise its military sovereignty.

Transcript

00:00Could a European military ship of the future soon see the light of day?

00:07EuroNaval, one of Europe's largest naval warfare trade shows held this week in Paris, came

00:12to an end with hopes of a stronger European cooperation in the maritime defence industry.

00:19The European Defence Agency said member states have started working on the idea of building

00:24a next generation combat ship for 2040.

00:28Ongoing conflicts such as the war in Ukraine and US President Donald Trump's promise to

00:33reduce military support to the EU have prompted many at the trade show to believe it's time

00:40for Europe to prioritise its defence sovereignty.

00:43Everyone is well aware that Europe is a large group that is able to have ambitious programmes,

00:52which is more difficult for countries to take on individually.

00:55If we want to be up to the challenges of China, the United States, even India, which is a

01:04continental country, it's not by staying in pieces, it's not with Spain, Italy, France

01:11that we will be able to have a European navy or European marines that are up to the challenges

01:19of future warfare.

01:20After initial talks this summer, one of the requirements presented by the member states

01:24is for the future ship to be a smart one that incorporates technologies such as artificial

01:30intelligence, an idea that's been warmly welcomed by the union representing the French

01:36naval industry.

01:37All of this is in order to increase our cooperation at the European level, if there is the will

01:45of the member states to pass orders, that's what motivates us to be able to provide them

01:51with the naval resources in time to ensure sovereignty with a certain European dimension

01:57in such a time frame, of course.

01:59The EU bloc's defence ministers will be meeting in Brussels on November 19th to discuss the

02:05possibility of this project.

02:07Sofia Katsenkova reporting from Paris for Euronews.