OCCAR makes significant strides forward with Italy's FREMM EVO frigate program by conducting critical design review.
On 8 January 2026, OCCAR announced that Italy s FREMM EVO program had successfully passed Critical Design Review across all three domains (platform, combat system and logistics support). This landmark achievement demonstrates that Italy s next generation of FREMM-based frigates had reached a mature design baseline; making way for detailed design finalisation and subsequent production phases.
FREMM EVO, an evolution of Italy s existing FREMM class frigate design, will feature enhanced anti air, surface and submarine capabilities along with upgraded combat systems and sensors designed to handle modern multi threat environments. European shipbuilders and combat system suppliers should see CDR completion as evidence of demand in high end surface combatant segment reaffirming Italy s position as both user navy as well as exporter of advanced frigate designs.
Croatia Prepares Major Corvette Acquisition
According to reports cited by Army Recognition on 6 January 2026, Croatia is set to acquire two multipurpose corvettes - considered its biggest naval procurement in years - as part of their largest ever naval acquisition plan. Although details regarding specific contract or shipbuilder have yet to be made public, the vessels will provide capabilities ranging from EEZ patrol and maritime security duties through to higher end tasks within NATO frameworks.
Croatia s potential corvette program mirrors wider regional trends, as Adriatic and Mediterranean navies invest in compact but heavily armed surface combatants designed for both national defense and alliance operations. Industry stakeholders see Croatia s move as evidence that multi mission corvettes capable of both blue water reach as well as shallow water agility are still highly in demand in congested littorals are available on the market.
Philippine Navy steps up protection of vital undersea cables
Defense News reported on 5 January 2026 that the Philippine Navy is researching new strategies to monitor subsea cables as part of an overall effort to safeguard critical underwater infrastructure against espionage and sabotage. Navy spokesperson Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad detailed surveillance plans that include detailed imaging of underwater terrain to create seabed profiles and track environmental changes over time.
Philippines authorities have purchased MANTAS T 12 unmanned surface vessels from the US in order to enhance maritime surveillance, and are considering additional manned and unmanned platforms for subsea monitoring. These steps align Manila with an increasing trend globally towards strengthening subsea infrastructure such as data cables and energy links - increasingly recognized as valuable strategic assets in regional competition.
Hanwha and HavocAI join forces to co-develop large autonomous surface vessels.
Naval News reported on 8 January 2026 that Hanwha Defense USA, Hanwha Systems and HavocAI will collaborate to develop 200 foot class autonomous surface vessels. Their objective is to combine Hanwha s expertise in defense systems design with HavocAI's autonomy technologies in order to create uncrewed platforms suitable for various naval and security missions.
Long range autonomous surface vessels will be developed for missions including maritime surveillance, escort duties and logistic support with reduced crew requirements compared to conventional ships. This announcement highlights the accelerating convergence between traditional naval shipbuilding with software-intensive AI solutions such as sensor fusion technology in surface shipbuilding environments; opening new opportunities for yards capable of building autonomy-ready hulls.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries secures maintenance contract for 41,000-ton cargo vessel
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced on 7 January 2026, via Naval News reporting, that it had won a maintenance, repair and overhaul contract for a 41,000 ton cargo vessel belonging to commercial cargo unit, while still emphasizing the strategic value of MRO capacity to both commercial and dual use fleets as governments scrutinise resilience of maritime logistics chains.
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will build on their established expertise in naval and commercial construction to expand their service offering through this award. Governments and operators recognize long term MRO partnerships as part of national maritime security to ensure critical platforms remain available during regional crises or spikes in sealift demand.
After seven months at sea, USS Fitzgerald returned home safely.
On 6 January 2026, the U S Navy reported that Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Fitzgerald DDG 62 had returned home after seven months' underway period under U S Third Fleet's auspices, conducting maritime security operations and exercises with allies and partners across Indo Pacific region.
Fitzgerald's return demonstrates the U S surface combatants' high operational tempo in the Pacific theatre. Deployments by Aegis-equipped destroyers provide both security and opportunities for interoperability training with regional partners, particularly air and missile defense as well as integrated anti submarine warfare.
President Trump indicates an intent for a 50 percent defense budget increase by 2027.
Defense Communities reported in early January 2026 that former President Donald Trump announced his plan for 2027's U.S. defense budget request: 1.5 Trillion Dollars! Branded a "dream military concept", such an increase would have wide-reaching ramifications across the military including Navy and Marine Corps forces.
While this proposal remains more of a political signal than an approved policy, a significant increase would open up funds for shipbuilding, naval aviation, munitions stockpiles and undersea warfare investments, which in turn would impact on global defense industrial base. International shipyards, combat system suppliers and munitions manufacturers would closely follow budget negotiations for signs of sustained demand on surface platforms (such as ships), subsurface platforms (like submersibles and amphibious), amphibious platforms as well as amphibious vessels.
2026 Naval Priorities Outlook
Naval Technology published analysis in early January 2026 highlighting digital networks, counter drone systems and subsea infrastructure protection as key defense industry priorities for 2026. Initiatives such as United Kingdom's Atlantic Bastion concept integrating uncrewed platforms and advanced sensors to protect key North Atlantic maritime approaches were named as examples.
Open system architectures, uncrewed vehicles and resilient underwater sensing were prominent components of Philippine operations and in new autonomous surface vessel programs in 2026's first week, reflecting operational developments seen both there and within new autonomous surface vessel programs. Naval planners and industry both saw these capabilities as fundamental to protecting both traditional sea control missions as well as the increasingly vital subsea information infrastructures.