France commissions development of deep-sea drones for naval operations.

According to information published by the French MoD on October 2, 2024, France's Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), in coordination with the Secretariat General for Investment (SGPI), officially commissioned the development of two advanced deep-sea robotic systems. These initiatives are part of the France 2030 investment plan and the Ministry of Armed Forces' "Mastery of the Seabed" (MFM) program, aimed at enhancing national capabilities in underwater operations.
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Remotely Operated Vehicle. (Picture source: French Ministry of Armed Forces)

The selected companies, EXAIL and TRAVOCEAN, will be responsible for creating two key technologies: an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). These systems are expected to be fully operational by 2026, marking the first deep-sea capabilities of the French Navy. Both systems will be capable of operating at depths of up to 6,000 meters, equipped with cutting-edge sensors and tools designed to support a range of critical missions. These missions will include protecting undersea infrastructure and safeguarding France's maritime interests.

The project aligns with France’s broader strategy, published in 2022, to extend maritime control to the deep seabed. This strategy, developed under the MFM program, focuses on enhancing knowledge, surveillance, and operational capacity in the deep ocean. It also supports both civilian and military applications, contributing to France's strategic autonomy in the maritime domain.

EXAIL will develop the "A6K-M" AUV, building on previous work with IFREMER on the Ulyx drone. TRAVOCEAN will adapt its compact ROV technology to meet deep-sea requirements with its "ROV-DeepSea" system. Both systems will be integrated into the French Navy’s support vessels and will be designed for rapid deployment via A400M aircraft.

This initiative reflects a growing international interest in deep-sea activity, driven by the increasing importance of seabed resources and undersea communication infrastructure. France, with the world’s second-largest exclusive economic zone, recognizes the strategic necessity of advancing its capabilities in this domain.

The investment is part of the larger France 2030 plan, which aims to position the country as a leader in key sectors through technological innovation, with a focus on environmental sustainability and strategic autonomy. The program will allocate €54 billion to support French industries, universities, and research organizations in addressing the global challenges of tomorrow.

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The French Navy has been integrating several advanced naval drones into its operations, focusing on enhancing maritime surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities.

One of the key systems is the VSR700, a rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed under the Système de Drone Aérien Marine (SDAM) program. This drone, a collaboration between Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group, has been undergoing extensive sea trials aboard the FREMM frigate Provence. The VSR700 is designed for extended maritime missions, offering up to 10 hours of flight time and the ability to operate at ranges of up to 150 kilometers from the ship. Notably, it can take off and land autonomously, even in challenging sea conditions. It carries advanced sensors, including maritime radar, optronics, and an AIS receiver, making it a crucial tool for broad-area maritime surveillance​.

In addition, the French Navy is deploying Delair DT46 drones, tested on amphibious helicopter carriers. These drones can switch between vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) or fixed-wing configurations, providing flexibility for different mission profiles. The VTOL version, with a 4.5-meter wingspan, is especially suited for operations on smaller decks. It has an endurance of around 3.5 hours, while the fixed-wing variant extends this to seven hours, making it useful for long-duration missions​.