Spanish shipbuilder Navantia has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Croatian companies AITAC and Iskra Shipyard, setting out guiding principles for potential cooperation on engineering and industrial activities related to the Multi-Role Corvette (MRC) program.
The signing took place on October 1, 2026, in Šibenik during DEFCROS 3, the Public Safety & Defense Expo. In the context of the Multi-Role Corvette (MRC) program, Navantia is moving forward in its cooperation strategy to develop joint opportunities with Croatian industry.
Under the MoUs, Navantia, AITAC and Iskra Shipyard intend to explore potential cooperation across a broad range of engineering, shipbuilding and lifecycle-support activities, including:
• Exchange of technical documentation, engineering data and programme information;
• Ship design, production engineering, digital engineering and Integrated Logistics Support (ILS);
• Local shipbuilding and industrial participation, including outfitting, installation, integration, setting-to-work and testing activities;
• Future maintenance, lifecycle and in-service support for the vessels.
Specifically, the agreements bring together Navantia’s experience in naval programs with AITAC’s engineering and digital capabilities and Iskra Shipyard’s shipbuilding and industrial expertise, with the aim of increasing Croatian industry participation across different phases of the MRC program.
Navantia has experience in the design, construction, integration and through-life support of naval vessels, submarines and naval combat systems. Through the agreements, the company aims to develop long-term cooperation with Croatian companies and support local industrial participation in the defense and maritime sectors.
“These MoUs represent the commitment to Croatia. We are a reliable partner and we offer our experience and know-how to strengthen the Croatian industry and to support the Croatian Navy," said Alfonso Valea, Navantia's commercial director for Europe.
"Signing this MoU with Navantia confirms that Croatian engineering expertise has a real role to play in the MRC programme. We look forward to exploring how AITAC's experience in ship design, digital engineering and ILS can support Navantia and the Croatian Navy", stated Marijan Lorencin, CEO of AITAC.
“This MoU marks a significant milestone in strengthening Iskra Shipyard’s role in the naval and defence domain, particularly following our recent acquisition of 3. Maj Shipyard in Rijeka. In cooperation with the selected bidder and other Croatian partners, we are committed to contributing advanced shipbuilding expertise, industrial capacity, and local know-how to the MRC programme. Our goal is to establish a long-term strategic partnership that supports Croatia’s sovereign naval capabilities while creating lasting value for the national maritime and defence industry," commented Roko Vuletić, CEO of Iskra Shipyard.
To remind, Iskra Shipyard recently signed a teaming agreement with South Korea's HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to establish a framework for long-term strategic cooperation in defense and civilian shipbuilding.