DCNS and Saft power up alliance

Sunday, 22 February, 2009

French naval systems and support group DCNS (Hall 7, Stand B9) and energy storage group Saft (Hall 7, Stand C26) have signed a framework agreement that cements the two companies’ relationship in the development of electrical energy storage technologies for naval applications.

Under the terms of the accord, DCNS and Saft will operate as a national centre for innovative technologies covering electrical energy storage for all naval applications, including surface ships, submarines, torpedoes, and autonomous unmanned vehicles.

This in effect formalises previously ad hoc agreements between the two groups in the field of energy storage, with the aim of achieving increased synergies.

As well as increasing competitiveness in the defence market, DCNS and Saft believe the agreement will enable important technology investment decisions to be taken at a much earlier stage in response to market demands.

Key objectives for the partnership include adapting innovative lithium ion technologies to conventional submarine propulsion and torpedoes, and extending co-operation on aluminium silver oxide batteries for torpedoes.