Breaking News
SOFINS 2025: French Army Enhance Discreet Maritime Infiltration with Submersible Motorized Board.
At the SOFINS 2025 exhibition, dedicated to innovations for French and allied special forces, the French Ministry of the Armed Forces presents the Submersible Motorized Board (PMS). This equipment stands out as an individual aquatic mobility solution designed for combat divers, enabling silent and concealed movement on the surface or at shallow depths while carrying full operational gear.
The system is designed for use by a single, fully equipped operator and provides effortless transport up to the vicinity of the target (Picture source: Army Recognition)
Developed to meet the specific needs of units operating in complex maritime environments, the PMS addresses two core requirements: ensuring discreet infiltration and preserving the operational readiness of the soldier upon reaching the objective area.
The relevance of this board is based on key tactical and strategic considerations. In a context where coastal zones are increasingly becoming theatres of operations—such as in West Africa, the Levant, the Balkans, or the Indo-Pacific—special forces must be able to reach their objectives undetected, bypassing the limitations imposed by terrain or enemy electronic surveillance. The PMS meets these constraints with a quiet motor and partial submersion capability, suited for clandestine approaches.
The system is designed for use by a single, fully equipped operator and provides effortless transport up to the vicinity of the target. This method helps conserve the soldier's physical energy prior to action, reduces exposure during the approach phase, and ensures maximum readiness upon arrival. In addition, the PMS can be deployed from various platforms, including rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs), rotary-wing aircraft, and potentially via high-altitude low-opening parachute drops (CHUTOPS). This compatibility with multiple insertion methods gives it the flexibility required for modern special operations, where engagement windows are often limited and logistical constraints significant.
From a technological perspective, the choice of a submersible system—rather than a simple sea scooter or light boat—reflects the intent to integrate the PMS into high-value mission scenarios, including reconnaissance, neutralization of sensitive targets, sabotage of coastal infrastructure, discreet extraction, or support for maritime interdiction actions. By allowing the soldier to remain submerged and undetected until the final approach, the PMS significantly reduces the risk of radar, visual, or thermal detection. This aligns with a broader trend toward compact, adaptable, and low-signature equipment.
The growing presence of hybrid threats in maritime domains—whether piracy, illicit trafficking, or irregular operations in grey zones—further reinforces the relevance of such a platform within the arsenals of modern special forces.