Thales delivers first autonomous drone system for mine countermeasures to the French Navy

The delivery is part of the Franco-British Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) programme, led by the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) under the supervision of OCCAR. Thales has achieved a significant technological breakthrough by introducing an autonomous, cyber-secure drone system enhanced with artificial intelligence (AI).

The system was delivered in December 2024 and is designed to improve mine warfare operations while minimising risk to naval personnel. This development represents a crucial advancement in securing maritime routes, which are essential for global trade and economic stability.

The newly introduced system includes an Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) fitted with the TSAM towed sonar, enabling the detection and classification of naval mines. It can be remotely operated from land, a mother ship, or another vessel, significantly reducing crew exposure to potential threats.

Thales, as the principal system provider and integrator for the MMCM programme, has introduced several innovative technologies. These include the SAMDIS multi-view sonar, the e-POC portable operations centre, the M-Cube mission management system, and the Mi-Map data analysis application, all of which leverage AI to enhance operational efficiency and reduce false alarm rates.

The 12-metre naval surface drone is designed for rapid deployment, as it can be transported by air and deployed within 48 hours using an A400M aircraft. It will also be integrated into the future Mine Warfare Vessel (BGDM), further strengthening naval mine countermeasure capabilities.

Under the SLAMF programme, the French Navy is set to receive six USVs in 2025, forming three complete system-of-systems, each composed of two USVs. This will complement the prototype system that has already been delivered and upgraded. Additionally, the British Royal Navy will receive four system-of-systems, each featuring a single USV, within the same timeframe.

Philippe Duhamel, Executive Vice-President of Defence Mission Systems at Thales, highlighted the importance of this achievement. He stated that both the UK and France are transforming their mine countermeasure capabilities through innovative operational concepts. Thales is proud to play a key role in this transformation, reinforcing its reputation as a leading provider of mine countermeasure solutions.