Naval Warfare

Second Suffren-class nuclear submarine delivered to French Navy

10th August 2023

The second Suffren-class SSN for the French Navy, Duguay-Trouin, has been officially delivered after months of sea trials.

Air Warfare

Software upgrade to French Reaper UAVs allows for operations over home territory

9th August 2023

France has completed trials of a software upgrade to a General Atomics Reaper Block 5 UAV which allows the country’s fleet of aircraft to operate from French bases and over French territory.

Defence Helicopter

ITP Aero tests NH90 engines with sustainable fuel

26th July 2023

ITP Aero has successfully completed engine testing using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for the NH90 helicopter's GE CT7-8F5 engines, marking a significant step in reducing emissions.

Air Warfare

MBDA team picked for France's Larinae loitering munition project

30th June 2023

The French defence innovation agency (AID) has selected a consortium led by MBDA for its Larinae loitering munition project.

Defence Helicopter

Thales to supply standby flight instruments for Airbus H160M helicopter

29th June 2023

The first military application for Thales' third-generation Integrated Electronic Standby Instruments (IESI) will be the Guépard Joint Light Helicopter version of the Airbus H160.

Training

France buys new sims for its E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft

20th March 2023

The full flight simulator procurement falls under the cockpit modernisation programme awarded to Air France Industries KLM Engineering and Maintenance.

Air Warfare

NH90 helicopter achieves sustainable fuel milestone

14th February 2023

The sustainable aviation fuel used in the test flight of an NH90 required no modification to the helicopter or its RTM322 engines.

Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

Parrot Anafi - Announced Units (France)

Programme Background Requriment In February 2020, the French DGA procurement agency released a tender calling for a quadcopter micro UAS to equip all branches of ...

Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

Parrot Anafi - Completed Units (France)

Programme Background Requriment In February 2020, the French DGA procurement agency released a tender calling for a quadcopter micro UAS to equip all branches of ...

Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

SMDM / Aliaca Evo (France)

Programme Background Contract In February 2021, the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) announced a €19.7 million ($23.30 million) contract it had awarded Survey Copter, a subsidiary of Airbus ...

Landing craft and hovercraft

EDA-S (France)

Programme Background Following the announcement of the 14-ship contract, the DGA approved the design of the first two standard amphibious landing craft (EDA-S) in October 2019, ...

Transport/tanker aircraft

A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) - France

In November 2014, The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has confirmed purchase of 12 A330 MRTT air-to-air refuelling aircraft from Airbus. The contract will cover the development and ...

Fighter - multirole

Rafale France

Rafale F4 is the latest configuration of the Rafale fighter jet family. New functions will also be developed to improve the aircraft’s capabilities (upgrades to ...

Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

Système de Drone Aérien pour la Marine (SDAM) [France]

Programme Background Requirement The requirement for the SDAM programme is a rotary-wing VTOL-capable UAV with a modular configuration capable of hosting a range of payloads. ...

Submarines nuclear, ballistic missile

SNLE 3G (France)

Programme Background Requirements Included in the 2019-2025 Military Plan Law is the replacement of the four Le Triomphant-class SSBNs with four third-generation SSBNs (SNLE 3G) beginning ...

Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

NH90 Special Forces (France)

Programme Background In French service, advanced H225M Caracals with aerial refuelling capabilities are used by SOF units of the French Air Force (FAF) and French ...

ISR/special mission

Strategic Intelligence Aircraft - France

Programme Background In February 2018, the Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, announced that the strategic intelligence aircraft program CUGE Universal EW Capability began ...

Maritime patrol

MAWS/PATMAR (France)

Programme Background In 2017, Germany and France announced that they would be working towards developing an MPA to replace their current fleets in service. The ...

Fighter - multirole

Future Combat Air System (FCAS) Spain

The governments of France and Germany have launched the demonstrator phase for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) with the issue of an initial framework ...

Fighter - multirole

Future Combat Air System (FCAS) France

The governments of France and Germany have launched the demonstrator phase for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) with the issue of an initial framework ...

Fighter - multirole

Future Combat Air System (FCAS) Germany

The governments of France and Germany have launched the demonstrator phase for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) with the issue of an initial framework ...

Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

EBRC Jaguar (France)

Programme Background Requirement Initially, the French government required 248 Jaguars. However, this requirement quickly rose to 300 platforms, 50% of which are set to be ...

Air: mission management systems

MPME

Safran Electronics & Defense has developed the MPME (Module de préparation de mission pour equipages d’hélicoptères) mission planning system for use by French Army Gazelle, ...

Major networking projects

MOIE SIC Terre

In January 2005, France’s DGA defence procurement agency awarded Thales (70%), and partner EADS DCS (30%), a $230 million contract for the MOIE SIC Terre ...

Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

Matrice 600

The Matrice 600, or M600, is a DJI rotary-wing UAV designed primarily for professional aerial photography and industrial applications. It was designed to closely integrate various ...

Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming

Manta

Manta is a laser-based DIRCM system for airborne platforms. Designed to defeat first- and second-generation and imaging IR seekers, it is said to be effective ...

Sea: naval surveillance radar

Sea Fire 500

The Sea Fire is a four-panel phased-array naval surveillance radar developed by Thales that was unveiled in 2014. This S-band radar is designed to outfit ...

Loitering munitions

Toutatis

The Toutatis is an in-development loitering munition from Thales. According to Thales, the platform is effective against groups of fighters and unarmored and light-armoured vehicles. Unveiled at ...

Fast attack/patrol craft and interceptors

VFM (Vedettes de Fusiliers Marins) - ITC 15

In March 2018, the French DGA awarded a contract to Ufast for the construction of 12 VFM (Vedettes de Fusiliers Marins) fast patrol boats. The ...

Land: battle management systems

COFEUX

COFEUX is a tactical situation management system developed for French Army helicopters (Tiger and NH90). It includes a digital mapping module with an ‘inter-visibility’ function ...

EO/IR systems, Sea: ship surveillance and fire control systems

EOMS NG

The naval EO Multifunction System (EOMS) combines long-range IR search and tracker and gunfire direction to detect and engage shore, surface or airborne targets, particularly sea-skimming ...

Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - MALE

nEUROn

The nEUROn is an experimental unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed with international cooperation to create a stealthy, autonomous UAV that can function in medium- ...

Reconnaissance/patrol vehicles

VBMR-L Serval

In February 2018, France's DGA defence procurement agency selected Nexter, in partnership with Texelis, to develop and produce the 4x4 Lightweight Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle (VBMR-L) lightweight ...

Sea: ship surveillance and fire control systems

Paseo XLR

The Paseo XLR (Extra Long Range) is the latest member of Safran Electronics & Defense’s shipborne sighting system, which joins the Vigy Observer/Engage and the ...

Major networking projects

COMCEPT

In February 2013, the French DGA defence procurement agency awarded Astrium (now Airbus Defence & Space), and its partner ACTIA Sodielec (now ACTIA Telecom), a ...

Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - tactical

VSR-700

The VSR-700 (or VSR700) is a rotary-wing UAS developed by Airbus Helicopters in partnership with Naval Group (formerly DCNS).  The UAV is designed to be launched from ...

Air: Defensive Systems - Radar Warning Receivers, Air: Defensive Systems - Laser Warning Receivers, Air: Electronic Attack - Jamming, Air: Integrated Defensive Systems

SPECTRA

Thales’ SPECTRA (Rafale Fire Control Radar Protection and Avoidance System) is the Integrated Self-Protection System (ISPS) used by the Dassault Rafale series of combat aircraft. ...