• Land Warfare

  Insight: French vehicle competitions heat up

  23rd July 2019

  France continues to march forward with its Scorpion modernisation programme, with the recent delivery of the first Griffon multirole armoured vehicles (VBMR) on schedule this …

• Military Logistics

  First French C-130H cockpit modernised

  25th July 2019

  Collins Aerospace Systems has completed the first C-130 Hercules cockpit modernisation for the French Air Force, the company announced on 23 July. The company is …

• Land Warfare

  French army presented with first Griffon 6x6

  5th July 2019

  The French army has been presented with its first Griffon Véhicule Blindé Multi-Rôles (VBMR) 6x6 from the consortium of manufacturers that develop the vehicle, during …

• Land Warfare

  Contract awarded for supply of armoured vehicles to Belgium

  1st July 2019

  A government-to-government strategic agreement between France and Belgium project has come into effect, and a subsequent contract for the procurement of armoured vehicles for the …

• Special Operations

  Safran's first MFF delivery due

  27th June 2019

  Safran will deliver its first military freefall (MFF) ensemble to the French Army in the final quarter of 2019 as part of the Multi-Mission Parachute …

• Digital Battlespace

  Thales gets Syracuse 4 ground segment work

  21st June 2019

  Thales has received a contract from the French defence procurement agency (DGA) to design and build the ground segment for the next-generation Syracuse 4 satellite …

• Defence Helicopter

  Paris Air Show: FlytX for France's future Joint Light Helicopter

  19th June 2019

  The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has selected Thales' FlytX avionics suite for its future H160M Joint Light Helicopter, Thales announced on 14 June.The FlytX …

• Defence Helicopter

  France orders more H225M helicopters

  17th June 2019

  Airbus Helicopters has received an order from the French Defence Procurement Agency DGA for an additional H225M for the French Air Force. The aircraft will …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Paris Air Show: Patroller enters final qualification phase

  18th June 2019

  Safran’s Patroller UAS has entered its final phase of industrial qualification at the Istres DGA flight test center in southern France, the company announced on …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Paris Air Show: Airbus eyes up maiden VSR700 prototype flight

  10th June 2019

  Airbus is building towards its first flight of the VSR700 rotary-wing TUAS prototype this year - an occasion that will see the vehicle tested without a …

• Digital Battlespace

  Thales to expand big data capabilities

  24th May 2019

  Thales, in partnership with Sopra Steria, has been selected by the French defence procurement agency (DGA) to implement the second phase of the ARTEMIS programme, …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  France to arm MQ-9 Reapers with GBU-12 bombs

  28th March 2019

  The French Air Force is to weaponise its MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) with GBU-12 Paveway II laser guided bombs, in a move that …

• Digital Battlespace

  Thales receives French order for Coast Watcher 100

  13th March 2019

  Thales has received an order from the French defence procurement agency (DGA) to supply two Coast Watcher 100 coastal surveillance radars. The radars will be …

• Defence Notes

  MBDA encouraged by orders from ‘complex and challenging’ year

  20th March 2019

  Weapons manufacturer MBDA is taking heart from a 2018 orders intake which amounted to €4 billion ($4.6 billion), equivalent to €2.5 billion from domestic markets …

• Digital Battlespace

  Dassault signs Rafale F4 development contract

  14th January 2019

  French manufacturer Dassault Aviation has signed a Rafale F4 standard development contract with the French Armed Forces, which will offer the platform a host of …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• 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 First 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 ...

• 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. ...

• Transport/tanker aircraft

  A330 MRTT (1-12) [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]

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

• 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, ...

• Naval: shipboard communication systems

  Naval: shipboard communication systems | Floréal Class Replacement [France]

  The French Navy urges the replacement of the Floréal-class frigates with a new class of vessels that will mainly operate in French overseas territories.  Speaking to ...

• Naval: Combat Management Systems

  Naval: Combat Management Systems | Floréal Class Replacement [France]

  The French Navy urges the replacement of the Floréal-class frigates with a new class of vessels that will mainly operate in French overseas territories.  Speaking to ...

• Submarines nuclear, ballistic missile

  SNLE 3G (1-4) [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 ...

• UAS: communication systems

  UAS: communication systems | MQ-25 Stingray [France]

  In a March 2021 presentation, the General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) exhibited preliminary designs for the French Navies New Generation Aircraft Carrier (PANG). The presentation, published ...

• UAS: flight control systems

  UAS: flight control systems | MQ-25 Stingray [France]

  In a March 2021 presentation, the General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) exhibited preliminary designs for the French Navies New Generation Aircraft Carrier (PANG). The presentation, published ...

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

  UX11 (Ukraine Aid) [France]

  Programme Background First Batch On 6 September 2023, Sébastien Lecornu, the French Minister of Defence, announced Delair was providing Ukraine with more than 150 drones. ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• 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, ...

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

  Aliaca Evo

  The Aliaca Evo, or DVF 2000 VT, is an electrically powered mini-UAV designed to perform ISR missions, coastal surveillance, convoy protection and powerline and pipeline monitoring. Between ...

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

  Repace

  The Repace is a hydrogen-powered drone that the Direction générale de l'armement (DGA) unveiled in November 2023. The drone's development was led by reeachers from the Centre de ...

• 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 ...

• 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 ...

• 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 Multi Function Radar

  The Sea Fire is a four-panel S-band 4D AESA radar developed by Thales and unveiled in 2014. This S-band radar is designed to outfit vessels displacing ...

• 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- ...

• APCs/IFVs - 4x4

  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 ...

• 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. ...