UK's Navantia LASV75 Could Turn Autonomous Warships Into Armed Naval Escorts With Modular Weapons.

Navantia is presenting a scale model of its LASV75 at Euronaval 2026 in Paris, introducing a 75-meter autonomous surface vessel designed to operate alongside conventional warships. Developed by Navantia UK, the modular platform can be configured for air defense, anti-submarine warfare, or long-range strike missions, with the aim of expanding naval capabilities without requiring additional crews.

Scale model of Navantia UK's LASV75 autonomous surface vessel displayed at Euronaval 2026 in Paris, featuring 32 vertical missile launch cells, a 40 mm naval gun and containerized missile launchers on the aft deck. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

First introduced in May 2026, the Large Autonomous Surface Vessel (LASV75) is designed to carry sensors and weapon systems traditionally associated with crewed combat ships. Its development forms part of the hybrid navy concept, which combines frigates, destroyers and autonomous platforms within the same naval formation. One objective is to increase the number of assets available for surveillance and combat operations without necessarily building additional crewed warships.

Navantia UK officially announced the project on May 19, 2026, during the Combined Naval Event in Farnborough. In a subsequent statement published on July 10, the company outlined several proposed configurations covering air defense, anti-submarine warfare and, strikes against land targets. Its presentation at Euronaval provides a more detailed illustration of this approach, particularly through the weapons displayed on the scale model.

The LASV75 measures 75 meters in length, with an estimated displacement ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 tonnes depending on its configuration. Its planned operational range reaches 6,000 nautical miles, while the initial endurance target is up to 30 days at sea without a crew. These characteristics are intended to allow the vessel to accompany naval formations over extended distances, including in the North Atlantic, where weather conditions require platforms capable of maintaining operations in rough seas.

Unlike a conventional ship converted for remote operation, the LASV75 has been designed from the outset to operate without personnel aboard. Eliminating crew accommodation and associated facilities frees additional space for combat systems, electronic equipment and mission modules. The vessel's dimensions are also intended to accommodate heavier sensors and support their operation in demanding sea conditions.

An Autonomous Platform Equipped with Missiles and Modular Weapons

The LASV75 scale model displayed at Euronaval 2026 illustrates a heavily armed configuration featuring 32 vertical launch cells for missiles, a 40 mm naval gun for close-range defense and two containers positioned on the aft deck, fitted with missile launchers. This arrangement demonstrates how an autonomous vessel could provide additional firepower to a naval formation without requiring personnel aboard.

The LASV75 is nevertheless designed around the ability to adapt its weapons and sensors to the requirements of individual navies. Navantia is developing several configurations dedicated to air defense, antisubmarine warfare and strikes against land targets. The vessel should therefore not be considered a platform that necessarily combines all these capabilities simultaneously, but rather a common hull capable of accommodating different equipment packages according to the selected mission.

In an air defense configuration, the LASV75 could integrate an Mk 41 Vertical Launching System, an air surveillance radar and decoy systems. For antisubmarine warfare, proposed equipment includes an active variable-depth towed sonar, sonobuoy launchers and lightweight torpedo tubes. The project also includes provisions for operating drones capable of carrying torpedoes, while the potential future integration of a directed-energy laser weapon remains under consideration.

The vessel's architecture separates navigation and platform management functions from mission-specific equipment. Navantia intends to use its integrated platform management system and an architecture connected to its combat cloud to coordinate the various onboard systems. This modular approach could allow the ship's capabilities to evolve throughout its service life and, depending on the equipment installed, enable changes to its operational role without requiring a new hull design.

Expanding Naval Firepower Without Increasing Crew Requirements

At the tactical level, the LASV75 could operate alongside a frigate or destroyer to extend its surveillance coverage or supplement its weapons capacity. An air defense configuration could increase the number of missiles available within a naval task group, while an anti-submarine variant could help monitor a wider maritime area through its acoustic sensors. In a strike configuration, the vessel could also provide additional offensive capabilities, allowing crewed warships to retain primary command and control responsibilities.

The project also has an industrial dimension. Navantia UK is investing £157 million in its Appledore, Arnish, Belfast and Methil shipyards, particularly to expand digital design capabilities and automate parts of the production process. The company estimates that these improvements could reduce the time required to design and build large naval vessels by up to 30%. The Appledore shipyard is among the facilities being considered for LASV75 production, with a longer-term industrial objective of reaching up to four vessels per year.

For the United Kingdom and its NATO partners, the LASV75 forms part of a broader transformation of naval capabilities as maritime forces face growing requirements for surveillance, air defense and antisubmarine warfare while operating with limited personnel resources. In the North Atlantic, where protecting undersea infrastructure and maritime routes connecting Europe and North America remains a priority, autonomous vessels of this size could complement existing frigates and destroyers. Their development also reflects a changing approach to naval force structure, in which a fleet's combat capacity may increasingly depend on distributing sensors and weapons across crewed and uncrewed platforms rather than relying solely on the number of major surface combatants.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in Security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.

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