French Navy's New Offshore Patrol Vessels to Feature Anti-Drone Detection System.

According to a PR published by Cerbair on November 5, 2024, the French Navy's new offshore patrol vessels, commissioned by the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) in 2023, will soon benefit from enhanced protection against drone threats. The French Navy ordered a fleet of seven vessels that will incorporate CERBAIR's navalized radio frequency (RF) detection system, ensuring a level of security against increasingly sophisticated drone threats. This strategic move is a culmination of years of collaboration among CERBAIR, the French Navy, and key defense industry partners such as Naval Group, CMN, Piriou, and Socarenam shipyards.
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A model of the future French Navy's Offshore patrol vessel at Euronaval 2024 in Paris, France. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

At the heart of this initiative is CERBAIR's HYDRA system, which is equipped with sophisticated RF analysis capabilities. HYDRA’s core strength lies in its ability to detect drones and pinpoint their operators by analyzing the RF spectrum, enabling real-time situational awareness and early threat detection. This allows naval units to identify and respond to potential drone threats with increased agility.

The HYDRA system boasts a modular architecture, offering flexibility in installation across both new and existing vessels. This adaptability ensures seamless integration into the patrol boats, enhancing their operational effectiveness. CERBAIR's proprietary signal processing algorithms contribute to the system’s non-emissive nature, meaning it operates discreetly without emitting detectable signals, which prevents it from revealing its location to adversaries—a critical feature for self-protection in active duty.

France has developed a range of anti-drone systems to address the growing threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These systems are designed to detect, track, and neutralize unauthorized or hostile drones across various environments.

The PARADE (Protection déployable modulaire anti-drones) program is a modular and deployable anti-drone solution developed by a consortium led by Thales and CS Group. Initiated by the French defense procurement agency (DGA), PARADE aims to provide comprehensive protection against drone threats for military sites and critical infrastructure. The system integrates multiple technologies, including radar detection, electro-optical tracking, and electronic jamming, to effectively counter UAVs.

Developed by Cilas, the HELMA-P is a laser weapon system designed to neutralize drones by damaging their structures or critical components. It offers a silent and precise method to disable UAVs without causing collateral damage. The HELMA-P has been demonstrated to effectively target and neutralize small drones, making it suitable for protecting sensitive sites and public events.

RapidEagle is an autonomous interceptor drone developed by Thales in collaboration with Squadrone System, Inpixal, and Aviation Design. It is designed to detect, track, and intercept hostile drones. Equipped with advanced sensors and capable of high-speed maneuvers, RapidEagle can capture or neutralize unauthorized UAVs in various operational scenarios.

The French Air and Space Force employs systems like BASSALT and RADIANT as part of its anti-drone defense strategy. These systems are integrated to detect and neutralize drones, particularly in urban environments. They have been tested in exercises to enhance coordination and effectiveness in countering drone threats.

Developed by MC2 Technologies, the NEROD RF is a portable jammer designed to disrupt the communication and navigation systems of drones. By emitting targeted radio frequency signals, it can effectively neutralize UAVs by forcing them to land or return to their point of origin. The NEROD RF is used by security forces to protect events and sensitive sites from drone intrusions.