On January 28, the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) announced that it had ordered new surface-to-air defence & counter drone systems for a total order value of around €600 million.

The orders are part of the Military Programming Law (LPM) which serves as the French Armed Force’s efforts to modernize and strengthen their capabilities in high priority areas.

The DGA announced that the order placed with KNDS France relates to the production of two new versions of the SERVAL, the light multipurpose armoured vehicle first demonstrated in 2018. Specifically designed for high-intensity conflicts, the vehicles enable the protection of forward deployed land forces.

The counter drone version specifically will feature a remotely operated turret incorporating a 30mm cannon, along with autonomous detection capabilities via radar and radiofrequency systems.

Further contracts were awarded to MBDA for the provision of eight VL MICA launchers, and SIMBAD RC naval systems. The latter are designed to enable the integration of MISTAL missiles onto the French Navy’s offshore patrol and supply vessels, recognizing the increasing airborne threats undermining freedom of navigation.

The new capabilities will combine with the Franco-Italian “high layer” ground-to-air defence system SAMP-T NG, developed jointly by Thales & MBDA under their Eurosam partnership and due to be delivered in 2026.

Taken together, the new acquisitions and soon to be delivered SAMP-T NG systems will enhance the French Armed Force’s ability to protect personnel, ships and infrastructure against the growing UAS threat.

These acquisitions, and the sums involved, demonstrate the extent to which European militaries are rapidly addressing that threat. Following Germany’s recent steps to empower the military to take drones out of the sky in the homeland, it seems both policy and procurement processes are changing accordingly.

Post Image Credit: KNDS