France outlines upcoming naval drone procurement plans

France’s Ministry of the Armed Forces has outlined plans to acquire new naval drones over several phases from next year under the wider “naval drones major programme” known as PEM.

For the first phase of PEM, France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) will acquire ship-deployed “endurance drones” and focus on the “industrialisation of Smoker,” according to the Ministry of the Armed Forces on 29 October. Smoker is a remotely operated naval munition developed in-house by the DGA.

“The objective is to be able to rapidly produce quantities in a conflict context,” Ms Muriel, the director of the drones and underwater activities management segment at the DGA, said.

The first phase of the programme is planned for mid-2027.

What is France’s PEM naval drone programme?

Launched in June 2026, the programme aims to expand the deployment of uncrewed technologies in the maritime domain, as well as for “airspace control” and naval combat, according to France’s Ministry of the Armed Forces.

It is structured around three categories.

The first covers tactical drones, which will be fast and manoeuvrable and primarily intended for escort and protection. The second comprises endurance drones dedicated to supporting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The third covers “specialised action drones”, including remotely operated naval munitions.

The DGA is prioritising “agile acquisitions, open architectures, and a continuous experimentation approach,” the defence ministry said.  

What’s next for the PEM programme?

The second phase, planned for 2028, will focus on the DANAÉ (Drone de surface Autonome Naval avec capacité d’Armement Embarqué) programme, which is intended to provide the French Navy with armed uncrewed surface vessels for ship escort and port protection.

Three teams were downselected in October 2026 for DANAÉ:  SeaOwl Technology; the Orcas consortium comprising SEAir, Ægir, MBDA and Diadès Marine; and a Sirehna-led team covering Naval Group and Chantier Naval Couach.

The second increment will also cover the acquisition of a command and control system.

These efforts form part of the “dronisation shock” called for by the French Chief of Naval Staff, driven by lessons from the war in Ukraine and the growing role of uncrewed systems in maritime conflict.