Navantia UK unveils new autonomous surface vessel design

May 21, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

Navantia UK has unveiled a new model for a large autonomous surface vessel to support the ‘hybrid navy’ of the future.

Designed in the UK, Navantia proposes its large autonomous surface vessel, LASV75, as a key component of the hybrid navy, which combines traditional crewed warships with crewless escorts and autonomous technologies such as drones.

The LASV75 can be constructed at pace and scale with a cost significantly lower than crewed vessels. Its modular hull allows for different configurations – sensing, operational mode, or a combination of both. The vessel is designed from the keel up to be uncrewed, providing high levels of availability.

Navantia UK is investing £157 million in its four yards – Appledore, Arnish, Belfast, and Methil – to turn them into some of Europe’s most advanced facilities.

Among the improvements is the installation of an automated panel line in Belfast, enabling the yard to manufacture large steel panels for ships quickly, safely, and precisely, with a high degree of mechanisation.

Furthermore, the company is adopting digital design tools across its four yards to accelerate and automate naval projects. Taken collectively, these improvements will advance the yards towards Navantia’s Shipyard 5.0 concept, similar to the platform and processes used at Navantia’s facilities in Spain, it was highlighted.

Ultimately, Navantia UK expects its technology to bring down the standard time for designing and building a large naval vessel by up to 30%.

“Autonomous vessels are fundamental to the future of sovereign defence capabilities. Naval capabilities of the future will comprise a hybrid mixture of crewed warships with uncrewed escorts and ancillary ships,” Derek Jones, Chief Commercial and Business Development Officer at Navantia UK, said.

“At Navantia UK, we’re investing heavily in our four shipyards to turn them into ideal partners to deliver this vision of the future. With digital design capabilities and cutting-edge automated technology, our sites are being transformed into some of the most advanced shipyards in Europe.”

Jones also said that Navantia is working to deliver the UK’s Fleet Solid Support program, which “involves building some of the largest ships in the armed forces.”

The firm cut the steel for the first of the three ships at Appledore in December, and the 85-meter Seahorse purpose-built barge was launched from Methil earlier this month to transport blocks and components between Appledore and Belfast.