France - Defence Industry Europe

French Navy demonstrates new capabilities with successful F21 torpedo Test [VIDEO]

The French Navy successfully tested its next-generation F21 torpedo by sinking the hull of the decommissioned Aviso ‘PM L’Her.’

Northrop Grumman Corporation has officially commenced production of the first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft for the French Navy. The milestone was marked by a ceremony at the company’s St. Augustine manufacturing facility, attended by representatives from the French Navy, Northrop Grumman, Naval Air Systems Command, and the U.S. Navy’s International Programs Office.

Northrop Grumman begins production of E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft for French Navy

Air, Top / By Defence Industry Europe

Northrop Grumman Corporation has officially commenced production of the first E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft for the French Navy.

On November 27, the French newspaper Challenges reported discussions within the French Armed Forces regarding the potential acquisition of a land-based medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM). This move signals a strategic shift as France explores bolstering its defence capabilities with missiles boasting a range exceeding 1,000 km.

France considers development of medium-range ballistic missile, press reports

Air / By Defence Industry Europe

On November 27, the French newspaper Challenges reported discussions within the French Armed Forces regarding the potential acquisition of a land-based medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM).

On 21 November 2024, Croatia took delivery of its seventh Rafale fighter jet from Dassault Aviation, marking another milestone in the country’s ongoing defence modernisation programme. The aircraft landed at 15:45 at the “Colonel Marko Živković” barracks in Pleso, with monthly deliveries set to continue until April 2025, when the full squadron of 12 jets will be complete.

Dassault Aviation delivers seventh Rafale fighter jet to Croatian Air Force

Air / By Defence Industry Europe

On 21 November 2024, Croatia took delivery of its seventh Rafale fighter jet from Dassault Aviation, marking another milestone in the country’s ongoing defence modernisation programme.

France's Defence Innovation Agency (AID) has initiated a preliminary study, named Salazar, in collaboration with start-up Dark. The study aims to simulate missions to intercept hazardous objects in low-Earth orbit (LEO) using advanced digital models developed by Dark.

France’s Defence Innovation Agency launches Salazar project to study space object interception

Space/C4ISR / By Defence Industry Europe

France’s Defence Innovation Agency (AID) has initiated a preliminary study, named Salazar, in collaboration with start-up Dark.

France and Britain have approved Ukraine’s use of SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles for strikes deep within Russian territory, according to Le Figaro. This decision follows a green light from the United States, signalling a significant shift in Western support for Ukraine’s military strategy.

France and Britain greenlight use of Storm Shadow missiles by Ukraine against Russia

Air, Top / By Defence Industry Europe

France and Britain have approved Ukraine’s use of SCALP and Storm Shadow missiles for strikes deep within Russian territory, according to Le Figaro.

Thales and Exail, two leading French defence companies, have been awarded a contract by the French defence procurement agency (DGA) to develop and deliver next-generation autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) to enhance the French Navy’s mine detection capabilities. As part of the SLAMF (Système de Lutte Anti-Mines Futur) programme, this initiative aims to modernise the Navy’s mine warfare systems with unmanned, autonomous technologies.

Thales and Exail to deliver autonomous mine detection vehicles for French Navy’s SLAMF programme

Sea / By Defence Industry Europe

Thales and Exail have been awarded a contract by the French defence procurement agency (DGA) to develop and deliver next-generation autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).

The first delivery ceremony of the Tiger HAD-F MkII combat helicopter for France was held at Airbus Helicopter facilities, marking a significant advancement in France’s combat helicopter capabilities. Managed under the OCCAR Tiger Programme Division, this successful delivery falls within an extensive retrofit programme designed to enhance the operational efficiency of the French Army's combat helicopter fleet.

First Tiger HAD-F MkII helicopter delivered to France: a milestone in fleet modernisation

Air / By Defence Industry Europe

The HAD-F upgrade to the MkII model introduces a range of crucial technological improvements aimed at maintaining the Tiger’s relevance in modern combat.

Lithuania plans to equip the Brigadier General Motiejus Pečiulionis Artillery Battalion with the CAESAR Mark II self-propelled wheeled howitzers by 2027. The acquired CAESAR (6×6) artillery systems is the best match for Lithuanian Armed Forces requirements, it is also basically the only battle-tested self-propelled wheeled 155 mm artillery system manufactured in a NATO or EU member state. Another argument that factored in the choice of the French system is compatibility of ammunition used for CAESAR Mark II and the tracked 155 mm PzH2000 artillery system that the Lithuanian Armed Forces already have.

Portugal signs framework agreement for CAESAR NG artillery systems

Land / By Defence Industry Europe

Portugal’s Ministry of Defence has signed a framework agreement to purchase up to 36 CAESAR NG (Mark II) 155mm self-propelled howitzers manufactured by KNDS France.

In late 2023, the French Defence Innovation Agency (AID), through the French Armament Directorate, launched a new satellite named Keraunos with the aid of two novel French Space companies, Cailabs and Unseenlabs. The project, along with others like Toutatis and Yoda, contribute to the French 2024-2030 Military Programming Law. The mission is meant to test the potential of space Optical-Laser Infrared (OLI) communications between space and ground segments of communications networks. During the summer of 2024, these three entities performed a successful test. The test was followed by a joint announcement on September 10th, 2024, claiming the world’s first stable OLI high-speed communications “end-to-end” downlink between a low orbit nanosatellite and an optical ground station, which lasted for several minutes. Despite the possibility of classified initiatives and recent breakthroughs by NASA, China, and others, this was the first commercial test of its sort, marking a new age for space to ground optical-laser infrared (OLI) communications.

France claims world’s first ground to space high-speed optical-laser link

Space/C4ISR / By Defence Industry Europe

In late 2023, the French Defence Innovation Agency (AID) launched a new satellite named Keraunos with the aid of two novel French Space companies, Cailabs and Unseenlabs.

Following the launching of the Amiral Ronarc'h frigate at the end of 2022, and the launching of the two Hellenic Navy frigates HS Kimon in October 2023 and HS Nearchos on 19 September 2024, a new milestone in the FDI (defence and intervention frigates) programme was reached on 7 October 2024 in Lorient (France) with the start of the first sea trials of the first unit of the programme, commissioned by the Armament General Directorate (DGA) and intended for the French Navy.

Naval Group: the first FDI frigate Amiral Ronarc’h begins sea trials

Sea / By Defence Industry Europe

The FDI frigate is a multipurpose, resilient high-sea vessel capable of operating, alone or as part of a naval force, in all areas of combat.

The French Ministry of the Armed Forces has announced the launch of a new unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) project, which is set to complement the Rafale F5 fighter jet after 2030. The announcement was made by Sébastien Lecornu, Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, during a ceremony celebrating the 60th anniversary of the French Strategic Air Forces (FAS) at the Saint-Dizier air base.

France launches development of new stealth combat drone to complement Rafale F5 fighter jet

Air, Top / By Defence Industry Europe

The new stealth combat drone is expected to significantly boost the technological and operational capabilities of the French Air Force by 2033.