3 sources · updated 20 Oct 2026
DCNS is the name carried from 2007 to 2017 by the group now called Naval Group, heir to the French state arsenals and the Direction des constructions navales (DCN). DCN became a limited company in 2002 and was renamed DCNS in 2007, when it took over Thales's French naval activities and Thales joined its capital (25%, then 35% from 2011). The added S stands for systems and services.
The group, majority-owned by the French state, expanded its exports during this period (Scorpène submarines, Gowind corvettes, FREMM frigates) as well as its marine energy activities. In April 2016 it won the Australian contract for twelve submarines.
In offshore racing, DCNS appears as title sponsor of the IMOCA Resilient, from May 2008 to early 2012 according to the directory. On 28 June 2017 the group changed its name to Naval Group.