French Navy tests FPV drones

The French Navy has tested FPV kamikaze drones to counter maritime strike drones.

A video of the tests was posted on the official X page of the French Navy.

The tests were conducted aboard the Mistral-class multipurpose amphibious assault ship Tonnerre. According to the ministry, the main purpose of the tests is to enhance the self-defense capabilities of French ships.

Judging by the published video, a small boat towed at high speed by a cable was used as a target.

Drone operators launched the FPVs from the ship’s helicopter deck, after which they caught up with and successfully hit the target. Real combat weapons were used, presumably to study the effects of the strike later.

The tests were conducted as part of the French Armed Forces’ large-scale POLARIS 25 exercises. In addition to using FPV drones, the French military also tested other modern “military trends,” including intercepting a drone with small arms fire from a helicopter.

Although the French Armed Forces are generally not rushing to adopt FPV drones, this is not the first French unit to experiment with them.

One such experiment was the maneuvers of the 3rd Combat Helicopter Regiment. During these maneuvers, the military launched drones directly from a Gazelle helicopter for reconnaissance and fire support.

“Observing the technological advances in today’s theaters of war, the 3rd Combat Helicopter Regiment has begun to explore the possibilities of using FPV drones,” the Army Inspectorate General said.

The maneuvers conducted by the 3rd Helicopter Regiment, in addition to practicing tactics with existing drones, are also aimed at developing a new doctrine for the use of helicopter aviation in conjunction with future specialized escort drones.

According to French military officials, by 2040, air combat will be “drone-ized”. In the words of Lieutenant Colonel Kerangat, “the concept of use will be significantly changed: helicopters will be accompanied by tactical drones that will be used in all types of operations and in all types of terrain.”

At the same time, the Chief of the General Staff of the French Armed Forces, General Pierre Schill, emphasizes that the army must be cautious and not make rash decisions regarding manned attack helicopters.