France Plans Naval Drone Integration With Crewed Warships

France is developing a naval drone initiative that pairs crewed warships with autonomous systems. The reported plan covers tactical, endurance and specialized-action systems, with roles that include escort and protection, intelligence and surveillance, and remotely operated naval munitions.

Key details

• France ordered a dozen surface and underwater drone systems over the summer for its SLAM-F future mine-countermeasure program.
• A draft 2027 defense budget proposed €63.4 billion, €6.5 billion above the 2026 figure. Parliament had not adopted the proposal.
• Armed Forces Minister Catherine Vautrin said France intends to prioritize European-origin defense equipment and cited cooperation with Greece, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands.

France ordered 12 surface and underwater drone systems for its SLAM-F future mine-countermeasure program.

Why it matters

For US aviation readers, France’s plans show how European defense programs are bringing autonomous systems into broader military operations. The cooperation Vautrin cited includes aviation as well as naval capabilities, missiles and mine-warfare vessels.