Naval Group backs Thales’ cortAIx to tackle AI integration in defense systems

February 12, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

French shipbuilder Naval Group has invested in the capital of cortAIx France, joining Thales to address major challenges related to integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into critical defense systems.

As informed, the partners will accelerate the deployment of AI technologies and their adoption by the armed forces, while upholding algorithm sovereignty and safeguarding sensitive data.

AI experts from Naval Group, particularly from the Digital Excellence Centre in Ollioules (South of France, will strengthen the cortAIx France teams with their specialised knowledge of the naval environment.

The cortAIx initiative was launched by Thales in 2024. The program brings together more than 800 AI experts across five hubs in France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, and Germany.

Now, this new joint venture aims to accelerate the industrialization of AI solutions applied to defense systems within cortAIx.

“The entry of Naval Group into the capital of cortAIx France is a significant step for the company in its efforts to integrate AI into naval systems. Thanks to the pooling of resources from our two companies, this strategic partnership marks a major acceleration for the future of engineering and naval systems, in which AI plays an increasingly important role. It reflects the will to push beyond traditional boundaries of architecture and innovation, in favour of sovereign and controlled AI, which is essential to build the naval warfare of tomorrow.,” Pierre Éric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group, said.

Specifically, Thales and Naval Group plan to collaborate in the following areas:

Collaborative combat, enabling operators to manage multiple systems simultaneously and assist with observation and surveillance missions.
Decision support systems, based on the rapid analysis of massive, strategic, tactical, and operational data.
Electronic warfare, to reduce the cognitive load on operators, automate signal identification, radar geolocation, and mission analysis report generation.
Training and simulation, to offer realistic and adaptive scenarios while optimising costs, operational preparation, and post-exercise analysis.
Logistics and support, using analytical rules to better anticipate operational needs.

“With Naval Group joining us, cortAIx is taking a major step forward in a collective innovation effort in France. This cooperation between two major defence players will pool expertise and accelerate the integration of sovereign AI into critical systems to respond more quickly to the challenges of the armed forces. This alliance will help them gain an edge in the face of increasingly numerous and immediate threats in an ever more complex environment, while keeping humans in control,” Patrice Caine, Chairman and CEO of Thales, commented.