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French Army Responds to Growing Drone Threat with New Anti-Air Capabilities.


As aerial threats evolve rapidly and high-intensity conflicts resurface in Europe, France is accelerating the modernization of its air defense and counter-drone capabilities. The 2024-2030 Military Programming Law prioritizes surface-to-air defense, allocating a total investment of €5 billion over the period. This program aims to upgrade anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems, renew low-altitude defense capabilities, and enhance counter-drone measures. Within this framework, the French Directorate General of Armament (DGA) has awarded contracts worth €600 million to KNDS, MBDA, and Thales, benefiting all three branches of the French armed forces.

The French Army will receive two newly developed versions of the Serval Light Multi-Role Armored Vehicle (VBMR-L), tailored for surface-to-air defense and counter-drone operations (Picture source: Army Recognition)


The French Air and Space Force, which transferred part of its twelve Crotale NG short-range air defense systems to Ukraine as part of military assistance, will receive eight VL MICA launchers along with associated munitions. This order supplements the first units delivered in 2024, which were deployed to secure the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. The VL MICA NG missile is designed to improve interception of hard-to-detect targets, such as drones and small aircraft, while remaining effective against evolving threats with increasingly reduced infrared and electromagnetic signatures. These launchers will provide enhanced engagement capabilities against modern threats, with improved reactivity and interoperability with other defense systems.

According to the Military Programming Law, the Air and Space Force is expected to operate twelve VL MICA launchers by 2035, with nine planned by 2030. This procurement seeks to offset the temporary reduction in capabilities caused by the transfer of Crotale NG systems, ensuring a gradual transition to more advanced and efficient solutions. The integration of these new launchers will not only strengthen the defense of critical sites but also improve responsiveness to aerial incursions at a time when the widespread use of drones and cruise missiles is making airspace security increasingly complex.

The French Army will receive two newly developed versions of the Serval Light Multi-Role Armored Vehicle (VBMR-L), tailored for surface-to-air defense and counter-drone operations. The Serval DSA, ordered in 30 units, will be equipped with MBDA’s ATLAS RC remote-controlled turret, which can fire two MISTRAL missiles while operating under armored protection with an advanced fire control system. This vehicle is designed to provide mobile air defense for ground units, creating a protective bubble adapted to high-intensity operations.

The Serval LAD, with an initial order of 24 units, will be specifically configured for counter-drone missions. It will feature a remotely operated turret armed with a 30mm cannon and an autonomous detection system combining radar and radio frequency sensors. These detection capabilities will enable continuous airspace monitoring, identifying and tracking drones before they pose a threat to deployed forces. Given the increasing use of attack, reconnaissance, and loitering drones in modern conflicts, this mobile and responsive system is intended to enhance the protection of ground units.

These vehicles will provide additional protection against aerial threats, including manned aircraft, drones, and loitering munitions capable of targeting vehicles and strategic infrastructure. By offering a rapid and effective response to low-altitude aerial attacks, the Serval DSA and Serval LAD will complement existing ground-based air defense systems, which have traditionally been limited to fixed or semi-mobile platforms. This integrated approach will allow ground forces to operate with greater mobility while reducing their vulnerability to aerial strikes.

These acquisitions represent a progressive expansion of the French armed forces’ air defense and counter-drone capabilities. They will complement the next-generation SAMP/T NG missile systems developed by EUROSAM, which provide medium-range surface-to-air coverage against advanced aerial threats. With this modernization effort, France aims to develop a coordinated and adaptive air defense system to protect deployed forces, critical infrastructure, and national airspace from increasingly sophisticated threats. The integration of these new systems will support a more resilient and dynamic air defense posture, enabling the French armed forces to better address evolving battlefield challenges.


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