• Special Operations

  Safran rolls out new navigation solution for French Navy commandoes

  29th March 2023

  Safran Electronics and Defence has developed the NAVKITE position, navigation, timing (PNT) system for use by French Navy commando forces on semi-rigid boats.

• Land Warfare

  Hit to Kill UAV destroys other drones with kinetic energy

  31st March 2023

  MBDA has partnered with Novadem to develop a new UAV designed to knock out hostile drones using kinetic energy as part of the Sky Warden counter-UAS system.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Survey Copter enters crowded lightweight tactical drone market

  30th March 2023

  The company is hoping the Capa-X VTOL fixed-wing drone's modularity and French supply chain will help it stand out against competitors.

• Land Warfare

  France's Technamm to unveil new special forces vehicles

  23rd March 2023

  Inspired by lessons learned in Ukraine, the 4x4 Technamm Fennec 2 is looking for its first customers, while the Masstech Commando has already been ordered by France and Jordan

• Air Warfare

  France proceeds alone with enhanced NH90

  8th July 2021

  SOF variant of NH90 offers a number of improvements but France must still convince other operators to adopt it.

• Air Warfare

  SOFINS puts UAV innovation on the menu

  23rd June 2021

  Novel applications to be displayed at an upcoming French SOF exhibition include the integration of acoustic shot detection technology on a mini-UAV.

• Special Operations

  Internest and Zodiac Milpro team up for UAV platform on special forces boats

  29th June 2021

  Internest has adapted its Local Landing System to work with a drone landing platform for RIBs from Zodiac Milpro.

• Special Operations

  Safran expands Geonyx family

  30th June 2021

  French company launches Geonyx M inertial navigation system for naval SOF use.

• Air Warfare

  Airbus goes further than before in arming C295

  7th July 2021

  An armed version of the C295 has finally undergone test flights and ground tests in Spain.

• Air Warfare

  Spy’Ranger family growth reflects appetite for unmanned ISR

  2nd July 2021

  A new optronic ball will fly by the end of the year, and Thales is considering other sensors for Spy’Ranger.

• Special Operations

  SOFINS 2019: French Special Operations Command shows off new flight suit

  4th April 2019

  The French Special Operations Command (COS) has designed its very own next-generation tactical flight suit for air crew members, service officials have disclosed to Shephard. …

• Special Operations

  SOFINS 2019: France’s Special Operations Command to continue innovating

  4th April 2019

  French special operations forces must be equipped with the cutting-edge technology necessary to defeat increasingly creative and intelligent adversaries, Minister of the Armed Forces Florence …

• Defence Notes

  SOFINS 2019: Certification continues for A400M special mission capabilities

  4th April 2019

  Airbus Defence and Space continues to certify a series of mission capabilities for the A400M tactical transport aircraft designed to further enhance the platform’s support …

• Special Operations

  SOFIC 2017: SOCOM seeks asymmetric advantage

  15th May 2017

  US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has updated its requirements for lethality, protection and human performance as it seeks to further extend the operational effectiveness of …

• Special Operations

  ​SOFINS: Anti-UAV rifle targets the drones

  3rd April 2017

  Monaco-based company MC-CLIC presented its anti-UAV rifle at the SOFINS exhibition, near Bordeaux, which was developed to meet a requirement from the government of the …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• VLFS

  Programme Background The VLFS platform is derived from the Arquus Dagger PVP platform, but has been specifically designed to meet the requirements of French Special ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  Capa-X

  The Capa-X is a VTOL-capable fixed-wing drone from Survey Copter, a subsidiary of Airbus. The drone has been linked with France's Système de Drone Tactique Léger (SDTL) ...

• Counter-UAS systems

  Anti-UAV Rifle

  MC-Clic presented its anti-UAV rifle for the first time at the SOFINS 2017 exhibition in France. The rifle, which was developed to meet a security ...

• Military UAS - mini, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  DOFIN

  The Drone for Interior Wired Operations (DOFIN) is a mini-UAV designed for counter-terror operations, including close-quarter battle (CQB) missions and intervention in confined areas.  CM ...

• Military UAS - rotary-wing, Military UAS - small

  DRIMP

  The Drone for Reconnaissance and Intervention in Perilous Environments (DRIMP) is a multirotor UAV that has been designed specifically for counterterrorism operations, with the ability ...

• Loitering munitions

  Akeron RCH 170

  Unveiled in April 2025, the Akeron RCH 170 is a fixed-wing loitering munition from MBDA. Similar in design to the Switchblade 300, the catapult launched system ...

• Loitering munitions

  Akeron RCX 50

  Unveiled in April 2025, the Akeron RCX 50 is a rotary-wing loitering munition from MBDA.  According to reports, the RCX 50 is designed to support ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  NX160

  The NX160 is a developmental micro-UAV manufactured by Novadem. The platform utilises the same ground control station, datalinks and onboard avionics as the other member of ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  Diodon SP20

  The Diodon SP20 is an inflatable drone and the smallest member of the Diodon family, manufactured by Diodon Drone Technology.  The SP20 is waterproof, with ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - small

  Spy'Ranger 550

  The Spy’Ranger 550, a larger version of the Spy'Ranger 330, is a UAS developed by Thales for tactical surveillance and intelligence. It was unveiled at ...

• Loitering munitions

  R2-120 RAIJIN

  The R2-120 RAIJIN is a loitering munition manufactured by Fly-R. Equipped with an EO/IR camera for detection and identification, the drone strikes its target using ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Aliaca ER

  Survey Copter, an Airbus Defence & Space subsidiary, unveiled the Aliaca Extended Range (ER) variant at Euronaval 2022. Instead of the electric propulsion system the base ...

• LTVs - 4x4

  Outfielder

  The Outfielder is a 4x4 patrol vehicle designed to support special operations units.  Lighter than Soframe's Venpir platform, it can accommodate up to three personnel and ...

• Military UAS - micro, Military UAS - rotary-wing

  NX70

  The NX70 is an all-weather, multipurpose micro-UAS designed and produced by France's Novadem. It can transport various military equipment such as medkits, smoke grenades or ...