France enters the naval drone race with unmanned mine hunters and anti-drone defenses.

In July 2025, before the 14th July ceremony, the French Navy conducted exercies demonstrating its first unmanned naval forces. Months earlier, in February 2025, The French Navy had officially taken delivery of its first autonomous mine countermeasure drone system, according to a press release issued by Thales. The system was delivered under the Franco–British MMCM (Maritime Mine Counter Measures) program, coordinated by the French defence procurement agency (DGA) and OCCAR. It represents a global first in the deployment of naval drones equipped with advanced towed sonar technology and forms a cornerstone of the SLAM-F (Système de Lutte Anti-mines Marines Futur) program that will modernize France’s mine warfare fleet.
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The French Navy’s new 12-meter unmanned surface vessel carries a towed sonar for mine detection, can be air-deployed by A400M in 48 hours, and operates autonomously or remotely to clear high-risk waters without exposing crewed ships (Picture source: French Navy).

At the centre of the system is a 12-metre unmanned surface vessel (USV) carrying a TSAM (Towed Synthetic Aperture Multiview sonar). Compact and modular, the USV can be deployed by air in an A400M transport aircraft within 48 hours and is designed to operate from the future BGDM mine warfare vessels. Alongside the drone itself, the package includes the SAMDIS multi-view sonar, a portable e-POC operations centre, the M-Cube mission management system, and the Mi-Map AI-assisted analysis tool. Together, these technologies allow real-time detection and classification of naval mines with a very low false alarm rate, ensuring rapid and reliable threat identification.

The French Navy gains a major advantage. The USVs can conduct mine detection and surveillance in high-risk areas such as harbours, straits or littoral waters without exposing crewed vessels. They can be remotely controlled from a shore facility or a mother ship, or they can operate autonomously. Their endurance and modular architecture make them well suited for persistent operations, while the integration of artificial intelligence accelerates decision-making in complex underwater environments. The system therefore provides a decisive improvement in fleet protection, force projection, and operational flexibility.

The arrival of these mine countermeasure drones is part of a wider transformation within the French Navy, which is also addressing the growing threat posed by drones in all domains. Recent years have seen naval operations exposed to hostile UAVs and uncrewed surface vessels, particularly in contested maritime zones such as the Red Sea or the Black Sea. To confront this challenge, the French Navy has developed a layered anti-drone strategy.

In 2024, a FREMM frigate deployed in the Red Sea successfully neutralised a hostile UAV using jamming systems, including Neptune and MAJES DB6, marking the first operational use of French counter-UAS technologies at sea. These capabilities were tested during the Wildfire exercises, dedicated to counter-drone scenarios, where French warships trained against both aerial and surface drones using electronic warfare, 20 mm guns and helicopters. New offshore patrol vessels ordered by the DGA will also be equipped with CERBAIR RF detection systems for early warning against UAV intrusions, while the HELMA-P laser system developed by CILAS has already demonstrated its ability to destroy drones at ranges up to one kilometre during naval trials.

This multi-layered approach is supported by the 2024–2030 Military Programming Law, which allocates nearly €5 billion to counter-drone measures, including jamming devices, laser systems and integrated detection networks. In this way, France is equipping its fleet not only to operate drones for mine warfare but also to defend itself effectively against hostile UAVs and USVs.

The adoption of autonomous naval drones and anti-drone defenses reflects France’s commitment to maintain freedom of navigation, protect maritime approaches and uphold sovereignty in overseas territories. It also strengthens interoperability with NATO allies, particularly the United Kingdom, which is also receiving systems under the MMCM program. At a time when drones and mines are increasingly used as tools of asymmetric warfare, these capabilities are crucial for ensuring maritime security and preserving strategic trade routes.

The integration of autonomous mine countermeasure drones, combined with a comprehensive counter-drone strategy, demonstrates that the French Navy is adapting rapidly to the evolution of naval warfare. By combining uncrewed systems, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare and directed-energy weapons, France is positioning itself at the forefront of naval innovation in an era defined by emerging drone threats.