Thales delivers world’s first autonomous drone system to French Navy

French & British navies to receive multiple drone systems

French multinational aerospace and defence company Thales has delivered its first aerial production system of mine countermeasure drones to the French Navy.

Achieving a technological breakthrough in the conduct of mine countermeasure missions, multinational aerospace and defence company Thales says it has delivered the world’s autonomous drone system to the French Navy.

According to a press statement by  Thales, this landmark achievement is part of the Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) programme, led by the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) under the aegis of Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR).

This 12-metre naval surface newly delivered drone includes an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) equipped with the towed sonar TSAM for the detection and classification of naval mines. It can be operated remotely from land, a mother ship, or an opportunistic vessel, revolutionising mine countermeasure missions while minimizing human risk.

The press statement adds that the drone is designed for rapid deployment and can be transported within 48 hours aboard an A400M aircraft.

Thales says that the first serial production system was delivered in December 2024. This autonomous system represents a significant technological advancement, enhancing maritime security while reducing sailors’ exposure to dangerous environments.

Additionally, serving as the systems provider and integrator for the MMCM programme, Thales has developed pioneering technologies such as the SAMDIS multi-view sonar, the portable e-POC operations center, the M-Cube mission management system, and the Mi-Map data analysis application. These AI-powered solutions ensure superior performance with a low false alarm rate.

Thales says that the first serial production system was delivered in December 2024. It further added that under the SLAMF programme, France will receive six USVs in 2025, consisting of three system-of-systems, each comprising two USVs. This is in addition to the prototype system that has already been delivered and upgraded.

Meanwhile, France and the United Kingdom have set an ambitious goal to revolutionise mine countermeasure operations through disruptive technologies. In the same period, the British Royal Navy is set to receive four system-of-systems, each containing one USV, during the same period.

Thales is playing a crucial role in this transformation, reinforcing its status as a global leader in naval mine countermeasures.

“The United Kingdom and France have set an ambitious goal: to transform their mine countermeasure capabilities by adopting new disruptive operational concepts. Thales is proud to be at the heart of this transformation, which positions both nations as pioneers in autonomous naval systems. Our Group, a world leader in mine countermeasures, reaffirms its position as an innovative and reliable partner that navies can count on to develop their strategic capabilities,” says Philippe Duhamel, Executive Vice-President, Defence Mission Systems, Thales.