French Navy Expands Drone Fleet with New Maritime Systems

France’s naval power is entering a new era. The French Navy (Marine nationale) is investing in a fleet of new maritime drones designed to dramatically expand its surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance capabilities across the seas.

Two complementary drone systems — the Schiebel S-100F and the Airbus VSR700 — are set to become key assets aboard the French fleet’s frigates and replenishment vessels in the years ahead.

A Dual Approach to Naval Drones

In late December 2025, the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) signed two major contracts to enhance the Navy’s drone operations:

Five Schiebel Camcopter S-100F systems have been ordered from Naval Group, each system including two aircraft.
Six Airbus VSR700 drones will follow, developed jointly by Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group.

This dual acquisition forms part of the ongoing SDAM (Système de Drone Aérien pour la Marine) programme — France’s strategic initiative to equip its fleet with unmanned aerial systems capable of operating from ships at sea.

Schiebel S-100F: Compact and Agile

Already tested aboard France’s Mistral-class amphibious assault ships, the S-100F is a versatile, vertical take-off drone designed for quick deployment and flexible shipboard operations.

Key features include:

Up to 6 hours of endurance
A 50 kg payload capacity
Equipped with electro-optical and infrared sensors for surveillance
Full integration with the Navy’s communication systems

These drones will primarily equip FREMM (multi-mission) frigates, giving commanders real-time intelligence and situational awareness during naval operations.

VSR700: A Leap in Range and Endurance

On a larger scale, the VSR700, derived from the Guimbal Cabri G2 helicopter, will be a game-changer for the Navy’s long-range missions.

Performance highlights:

8 hours of endurance
150 km operational radius
Fitted with Wescam MX-10 optronics, maritime surveillance radar, and AIS sensors
Future configurations may include anti-submarine warfare equipment

The VSR700 drones will operate from the Jacques Chevallier-class fleet replenishment tankers (BRF) — vital support ships that accompany France’s aircraft carrier strike group centered around the Charles de Gaulle.

Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even confirmed the creation of a dedicated production line, a sign that France is preparing for long-term drone deployment at scale.

Strategic Shift for the FREMM Fleet

Originally, the SDAM programme envisioned equipping all front-line frigates with the VSR700. The shift to a mixed fleet strategy marks a pragmatic realignment.

S-100 drones will provide the FREMM ships with a lighter, quicker-to-deploy option, ideal for tactical reconnaissance and maritime patrol.
The VSR700, more powerful and longer-ranged, will be dedicated to strategic surveillance and fleet coordination from larger support vessels.

The first S-100 systems are due for delivery in 2026, with VSR700 units entering service from 2028 onwards.

Modernisation Aligned with French Defence Goals

This investment aligns with President Emmanuel Macron’s 2026 address to the armed forces, where he underlined France’s ambition to field “drones of all types across all services” to modernise national defence and maintain technological superiority.

The integration of these new drones is not just a technological milestone — it’s a strategic shift towards networked, data-driven maritime warfare, ensuring the French Navy remains one of Europe’s most advanced naval forces in the digital era.

The Future of Naval Surveillance

By combining flexibility, endurance, and precision, these two drone systems will help France monitor vast maritime zones, track threats, and protect national interests — from the Atlantic to the Indo-Pacific.

As the first systems come online in 2026, the Marine nationale is sailing confidently toward a future where advanced robotics and AI help keep France’s seas secure.