The full form of DCNS is Direction des Constructions Navales Services.

Formed in 2007 by acquistion of Thales Naval business, from Direction des Constructions Navales (DCN) which had been part-privatised by the French Government in 2003.

DCN itself had been renamed from Direction des Constructions et Armes Navales (DCAN) in 1991. It had previously been an integral part of the Marine Nationale until 1961, when it had been separated and reported to the Ministiere de Defense.

From c 1946 to the early 1970s it had a small fleet of mainly light communications aircraft, including two AB-47Gs. It ceased air operations in 2010.

It has operations around France and the globe including

• DCNS Brest (medium surface vessels)
• DCNS Lorient (large surface vessels)
• DCNS Saint-Tropez. (underwater systems)

Naval Group believes that the sea is central to our planet’s future.

As a world leader in naval defence and an innovator in the energy sector, the Group is developing advanced technology and solutions to secure the future and sustainably develop the planet’s potential.

Its leadership is built on a proven ability to meet customer needs by combining exceptional know-how with unique industrial resources.

DCNS designs and builds submarines and surface combatants, develops associated systems and infrastructure, and offers a full range of services to naval bases and shipyards.

The Group has also expanded its focus into civil nuclear engineering and marine renewable energy.

As a responsible corporate citizen, DCNS was one of the first major defence groups to achieve full certification to ISO 14001.

The DCNS Group employs 13,200 people and generates annual revenues of €2.9 billion.