Portuguese Navy, April 08, 2026 - The float-out ceremony of the future NRP D. João II took place at Damen Shipyards in Galați, Romania, marking a significant milestone in the vessel’s construction and in the ongoing modernization of the Portuguese Navy fleet.
The ceremony was attended by the Superintendent of Materiel of the Portuguese Navy, Vice Admiral Fernando Jorge Pires, representing the Chief of Staff of the Navy, as well as the Ambassador of Portugal and the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Romania. Representatives from Damen Shipyards and several Portuguese and Romanian civil and military authorities were also present.
Developed by the Portuguese Navy in partnership with Damen, the future NRP D. João II will be a Multifunctional Naval Platform, combining scientific capabilities, modular architecture, and high operational flexibility, allowing it to adapt to a wide range of missions.
The vessel has been designed to ensure sustained presence at sea, with an endurance of up to 45 days. It will be capable of conducting environmental monitoring, seabed research and exploration, ocean data collection and processing, as well as supporting scientific activities, economic development, and maritime knowledge.
The platform is also designed to operate, in an integrated and modular manner, uncrewed aerial, surface, and underwater systems, enhancing mission effectiveness and knowledge generation, while ensuring strong interoperability with civil, scientific, and academic institutions.
The float-out ceremony represents a key step in the construction of the future NRP D. João II and in the modernization trajectory of the Portuguese Navy, strengthening national capabilities in marine science, maritime security, and the fulfillment of the State’s responsibilities at sea.
The vessel, currently under construction at Damen Shipyards in Romania and financed through the Recovery and Resilience Plan, is expected to be commissioned into the Portuguese Navy during the first half of 2027.
The ceremony was attended by the Superintendent of Materiel of the Portuguese Navy, Vice Admiral Fernando Jorge Pires, representing the Chief of Staff of the Navy, as well as the Ambassador of Portugal and the Ambassador of the Netherlands to Romania. Representatives from Damen Shipyards and several Portuguese and Romanian civil and military authorities were also present.
Developed by the Portuguese Navy in partnership with Damen, the future NRP D. João II will be a Multifunctional Naval Platform, combining scientific capabilities, modular architecture, and high operational flexibility, allowing it to adapt to a wide range of missions.
The vessel has been designed to ensure sustained presence at sea, with an endurance of up to 45 days. It will be capable of conducting environmental monitoring, seabed research and exploration, ocean data collection and processing, as well as supporting scientific activities, economic development, and maritime knowledge.
The platform is also designed to operate, in an integrated and modular manner, uncrewed aerial, surface, and underwater systems, enhancing mission effectiveness and knowledge generation, while ensuring strong interoperability with civil, scientific, and academic institutions.
The float-out ceremony represents a key step in the construction of the future NRP D. João II and in the modernization trajectory of the Portuguese Navy, strengthening national capabilities in marine science, maritime security, and the fulfillment of the State’s responsibilities at sea.
The vessel, currently under construction at Damen Shipyards in Romania and financed through the Recovery and Resilience Plan, is expected to be commissioned into the Portuguese Navy during the first half of 2027.
DSGa Galați See also |
NRP Dom Joao II ( A5209, Joao II class ) 
