French Navy drones are no longer a side experiment. They are fast becoming a core part of how France plans to fight, watch and protect its waters. Recent wars, from Ukraine to the Middle East, have shown how cheap unmanned systems can change the balance at sea. As a result, the Marine nationale is now testing and buying drones in every domain: under the water, on the surface and in the air.

Still, the shift is not simple. Drones must survive rough seas for long periods. They also need secure links, even when an enemy jams communications. For that reason, France is moving step by step, starting with smaller and more mature systems before betting on very large ones.

French Navy Drones Already in Service

Many systems have already moved past the trial stage. In fact, nearly every French surface warship now carries at least one small aerial micro-drone. Beyond that, the fleet relies on a growing mix of French and European equipment.

Underwater and Mine Warfare Systems

• SeaExplorer gliders (Alseamar): underwater gliders bought for long, quiet ocean missions.
• Thales robotic mine warfare system: a surface drone towing a sonar to hunt sea mines.
• A9 and A18-M AUVs (Exail): autonomous underwater vehicles for mine detection.
• Oryx O-16 (Exail): a surface drone tested in the Mediterranean from June 2026 to April 2027 for surveillance and anti-submarine work.

Aerial Drones on Ships and Coastal Stations

• Camcopter S-100 (Schiebel) and VSR700 (Airbus): rotary-wing drones for ships.
• Aliaca (Airbus): chosen in a VTOL version for support vessels.
• Hercule cargo drones (DroneVolt): used for light logistics.
• Heliplane (DroneVolt): flown from coastal signal stations for surveillance.

Homegrown Innovation: The Smokers Naval Kamikaze Drone

France is not only buying off the shelf. Navy innovation labs build their own prototypes. Meanwhile, the defence procurement agency (DGA) runs new expert centres, including CeDRAN in Toulon, which focuses on naval drones and autonomous systems.

One result stands out. Working with the DGA hydrodynamics centre in Val-de-Reuil, CeDRAN developed a remotely operated naval munition, known as an MNTO. It is a kamikaze surface drone roughly six metres long. Several Navy ships tested it successfully during Exercise Wildfire in September. Now the DGA is preparing to industrialise and mass-produce it under the name Smokers.

The Naval Drones Programme and Its Three Drone Families

In June 2026, France launched a major programme called PEM Drones navals. Its job is to coordinate how the Navy tests, buys and integrates robotic systems. Because the market moves so quickly, the programme follows an incremental approach. In other words, it adds capability in stages rather than all at once.

The DGA and the Navy group these drones into three families:

• Tactical drones: fast, agile craft, such as surface drones carried on frigates, for escort and protection.
• Endurance drones: long-range systems for surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence above and below the surface.
• Action drones: remotely operated munitions and systems launched from submarines.

DANAE: France’s Future Armed Surface Drone

The DANAE project falls into the tactical family. The Defence Innovation Agency put seven industrial designs into competition early this year. Three finalists remain: SeaOwl, SeAir and Sirehna. The goal is a 9-metre surface drone with sensors and an optional weapon. It must work from a ship or from shore. A winner will be named next year, with series production planned from 2028.

After that, a second purchase will open in mid-2027 for endurance drones, a category where the Oryx O-16 fits well. Then, in 2028, the programme’s second phase adds a command-and-control system. This will help crews plan missions and fuse drone data, even in a jammed environment.

Big Bets: Seabed, Combat Submarine Drones and Stealth Aircraft

Alongside the main programme, France is pursuing several ambitious projects. For example, the Navy selected Alseamar’s Blackbird, a small aerial drone launched from a submerged submarine, for its Suffren-class attack submarines. It also ordered Exail’s A6KM, an underwater drone able to reach 6,000 metres. Delivery is expected in 2028, as part of France’s deep-seabed strategy. The Navy is also studying interceptor drones that can bring down hostile aerial drones.

A First Large Combat Underwater Drone

Naval Group is building France’s first large combat underwater drone demonstrator, known as an UCUV or XL-UUV. Delivery is due in late 2027, with sea trials from early 2028. Earlier, the company’s Oceanic Drone Demonstrator served as a test bed for key technologies. The new vehicle, however, will be a different design. It could be armed, launched from a ship or from land, and moved by air.

Large Surface Drones and MALE Aircraft

Bigger surface drones are also on the radar. CMN has built the UHSI 32, while Naval Group is working on Seaquest-M. Even so, French officers believe these large craft still need to mature. That is why smaller surface drones come first.

In the air, the Navy should adopt medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drones in the next few years. These will complement its maritime patrol aircraft, which are being upgraded under the Albatros programme. The DGA is supporting five French MALE projects from Aura Aero, Daher, FLY-R, SE Aviation and Turgis Gaillard.

Finally, the future carrier France Libre will operate stealthy combat drones. A first French UCAV should arrive in the 2030s alongside the Rafale F5 standard. Dassault Aviation already has strong experience here, thanks to its Neuron demonstrator, which first flew in 2012.

Key French Navy Drone Projects at a Glance

The table below sums up the main programmes and when each one is expected to move forward.

Taken together, these dates show a clear pattern. Smaller, proven systems arrive first, while large and complex drones follow later in the decade.

Frequently Asked Questions

What drones does the French Navy use today?

The fleet uses SeaExplorer gliders, Exail A9 and A18-M underwater drones, Thales mine-hunting drones, Camcopter S-100, VSR700 and Aliaca aerial drones, plus DroneVolt systems. Almost every surface ship also carries a micro-drone.

What is the PEM Drones navals programme?

It is a major French programme launched in June 2026. It coordinates the testing, purchase and integration of naval drones in three families: tactical, endurance and action drones.

When will France’s armed surface drone enter production?

The DANAE winner will be chosen in 2027. Series production of the 9-metre armed surface drone is planned from 2028.

Will the new French aircraft carrier operate drones?

Yes. The France Libre carrier is set to operate stealthy combat drones, with a first French UCAV expected in the 2030s alongside the Rafale F5.

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