Rolls-Royce Showcases Naval Diesel Engines at Euronaval 2026

[By Rolls-Royce]

Rolls-Royce presents its combined naval portfolio at Euronaval 2026 in Paris (3 to 6 November, Hall 6, Booth J46): well-established mtu diesel engines, marine automation and MT30 gas turbines, all mission-critical components. The focus is on matching propulsion and electrical power to the vessel’s requirements.

Knut Müller, Senior Vice President for Government Business at Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said:
“The vessel’s mission defines its power and propulsion requirements. By bringing together our combustion engine, gas turbine and automation expertise, we help naval customers meet these requirements.”

Autonomy raises the requirements

Navies are preparing for longer deployments with smaller crews. This places new demands on propulsion and power generation. In September, Rolls-Royce announced that the U.S. Navy has certified its mtu Series 4000 and mtu Series 2000 marine diesel engines for autonomous naval vessel operations, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of unmanned maritime capabilities. Certification requires specified systems to operate without human intervention, preventive or corrective maintenance, or repairs. Successful testing qualifies the propulsion systems for 30-day deployments at sea. Rolls-Royce is already working to extend this deployment period in response to customer requests.

Fifty years of naval propulsion

In 2026, the mtu Series 1163 marks 50 years of naval service. Continuous development keeps it up to date. Rolls-Royce has delivered more than 1000 units, almost all for naval vessels, including frigates and corvettes worldwide.

A naval engine and its automation have to work together. Rolls-Royce therefore delivers propulsion, automation and control as one mtu system. The mtu NautIQ portfolio provides the automation. Its Equipment Health Management System, mtu NautIQ Foresight, enables continuous real-time monitoring of technical equipment on board.

From engine room to platform

At the upper end of the power range, Rolls-Royce offers the MT30 gas turbine. Designed, assembled and tested at the Rolls-Royce site in Bristol, UK, the MT30 is the engine of choice for some of the world’s most advanced naval platforms. It is the world’s most power-dense marine gas turbine in service today, delivering power margin and greater platform design flexibility. Proven at sea, it delivers efficiency, reliability and excellent power retention through-life for operators.

New naval platforms need power optimised for the vessel as a whole. A power and propulsion model at the Rolls-Royce stand (Hall 6, Booth J46) presents the MT30 in this context.

Visitors to Euronaval can discuss with Rolls-Royce specialists how mtu diesel engines, gas turbines and marine automation come together for a given vessel.