NRP Dom Joao II (A5209)

The NRP D. João II, also known as the Multifunctional Naval Platform (PNM), is a groundbreaking 107.6-meter drone carrier being built for the Portuguese Navy. Unlike traditional carriers designed for manned aircraft, this vessel is purpose-built to deploy and manage unmanned aerial, surface, and underwater systems. It features a 94-meter flight deck, specialized hangars for drone maintenance, and a stern ramp for launching robotic vehicles. Launched on April 7, 2026, at the Damen Shipyards in Romania, the ship is expected to enter active service in the second half of 2026 following sea trials.

The ship represents a strategic shift toward highly flexible, modular maritime operations. It can be reconfigured within a week by swapping mission-specific modules—such as hospital facilities, laboratories, or hyperbaric chambers—allowing it to pivot between maritime surveillance, oceanographic research, and disaster relief. Funded largely by the EU's Recovery and Resilience Fund, the €132 million project positions Portugal as a pioneer in modernizing naval power through autonomous technology. Named after King D. João II, a central figure in Portugal's Age of Discovery, the vessel connects the nation's historic maritime identity with a future focused on persistent, data-driven ocean governance.