Contracts · Naval drones
France starts naval drone industry pact, Defense News reports
The initiative aims to develop French drone makers able to produce equipment quickly for naval requirements, Defense News reports.
France is starting a pact with its defense industry to build a national network of drone makers around the navy’s requirements, Defense News reported. Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin announced the initiative on Nov. 3 at the Euronaval defense trade show.1
The French government is starting a pact with the defense industry
equipment tailored to the navy's requirements
that can quickly make equipment tailored to the navy's requirements
areas that could benefit from the naval drone framework
Reported by Defense News
Sources
Also announced
- Defense News reports that French officials announced the purchase of a second ROV Deep Sea drone from LD Travocean, capable of diving to 6,000 meters.1
- France also plans to acquire eight A18 countermine robots from Exail, multi-sensor underwater drones that find and characterize sea mines before their removal.1
- The French Navy will buy a second unmanned combat underwater vehicle from Naval Group, following a first test vehicle, a ministry spokesman told Defense News.1
Defense News reports that the ministry sees potential uses for the framework in mine removal, hydrographic and oceanographic data collection, and deep-sea exploration.1
Sources (1)
- French defense minister kicks off 'pact' with industry in rush to field naval drones, Defense News, Nov. 3, 2026 www.defensenews.com