Breaking News
French Navy Experiments Weaponized Drone Jet Ski for Remote Naval Attacks Without Risking Crews.
On 29 April 2025, the French Navy conducting an unprecedented experiment: a remotely operated jet ski, carrying an offensive explosive charge, was launched against a Chaland de Transport de Matériel (CTM) landing craft withdrawn from active service, causing a controlled detonation against the hull of the vessel, which had been specially reinforced for the occasion. This demonstration, conducted at sea in a secure environment, is part of the broader POLARIS initiative launched in 2021 to prepare French crews and vessels for the demands of high-intensity naval combat. The stated objective is clear: to develop new expertise in the use of remotely operated and autonomous naval systems.
In the face of strengthened coastal defenses and the growing threat posed by long-range anti-ship missiles, deploying unmanned systems makes it possible to reduce human risk while targeting strategic objectives (Picture source: French Navy)
The French Navy aims to anticipate the profound changes in maritime warfare, in an international context marked by the rise of anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) strategies, the proliferation of asymmetric threats, and the emergence of new doctrines exploiting the saturation of enemy defenses through the use of maritime drones. In the face of strengthened coastal defenses and the growing threat posed by long-range anti-ship missiles, deploying unmanned systems makes it possible to reduce human risk while targeting strategic objectives. Offensive maritime drones are now seen as a suitable tool to penetrate advanced defenses, disrupt enemy deployments, and decrease the vulnerability of manned platforms.
This trend is not isolated. In other theaters of operations, several navies are also exploring the potential of offensive maritime drones. Recent conflicts in the Red Sea have seen the repeated use of explosive surface drones, notably by Houthi rebels against military and commercial vessels, illustrating these systems' capacity to disrupt strategic communication lines. Meanwhile, the US Navy is advancing the development of the "Ghost Fleet," an experimental fleet of unmanned surface vessels designed for intelligence, attack, or logistics missions, prefiguring the large-scale integration of drones into future American combat fleets. Other countries, such as Israel with its armed naval drones, are also heavily investing in this field.
In the medium term, the integration of explosive maritime drones into naval forces could extend well beyond occasional use. These platforms could be deployed in swarms to saturate the defenses of enemy naval groups, launched from frigates or specialized ships, or operate jointly with aerial and underwater drones within coordinated multi-domain operations. Such an approach would extend the operational reach of naval forces, multiply attack vectors, and complicate the enemy's situational awareness.
However, this evolution raises several major technological challenges. Maintaining communications with maritime drones over long distances remains difficult due to the unstable electromagnetic conditions in the marine environment. Autonomous navigation, especially at high speeds and close to the water's surface, requires extremely efficient sensors to avoid collisions and maintain precise trajectories up to the point of impact. Furthermore, the risks of jamming or cyberattacks against drones operating in contested areas necessitate the development of robust and resilient guidance systems.
On a tactical level, the emergence of such drones transforms the threats that modern navies must be prepared to confront. Major surface units, such as aircraft carriers or destroyers, could become more vulnerable to mass attacks by fast, inexpensive drones, making it necessary to adapt surveillance systems, close-in defenses, and interception capabilities. The use of offensive drones also calls for a revision of the protection doctrines for naval bases and convoys, incorporating surface drone countermeasures into standard defense schemes.
The experiment conducted by the French Navy using a weaponized, remotely operated jet ski represents far more than a simple technical exercise. It is part of a global doctrinal innovation movement aimed at preparing naval forces for the realities of high-intensity combat against adversaries capable of deploying asymmetric means or imposing anti-access environments. By mastering the use of remotely operated naval munitions, the French Navy positions itself within the broader transformation of naval operations, where automation and autonomy are becoming strategic imperatives rather than optional capabilities.