French Admirals Herald Underwater Drone Revolution, Warning of Existential Threat

The landscape of warfare is being reshaped by drones, not only in the air but increasingly beneath the waves, with a significant revolution accelerating at sea. This transformation holds the potential to profoundly impact naval operations, particularly in the strategic waterways of the Middle East. A multitude of drones are undergoing rapid development, testing, and deployment, poised to fundamentally alter how naval combat is conducted and offering substantial advantages for the defense of the Gulf region.

While many Western navies are striving to keep pace with these advancements, the French naval industry is demonstrating remarkable progress. Leveraging both state-subsidized and private enterprises, France is at the forefront of developing innovative drone technologies. The "dronisation" of naval warfare is a pervasive trend, encompassing operations above, on, and below the water's surface, with numerous unmanned craft nearing operational readiness.

Crucially, French admirals have emphasized that modern navies must proactively embrace drone technology to avoid falling behind potential adversaries. Retired Rear Admiral Guillaume Merveilleux du Vignaux stated, "If you're too slow, you die." He further elaborated that even if drone development evolves, a navy that remains stagnant risks defeat, making this adaptation an existential imperative as other nations are not waiting and are not allies. This sentiment is echoed by other former senior officers of the Marine Nationale, who note that navies are entering the "fifth generation" of warfare. This new era will feature crewed warships operating in conjunction with fleets of unmanned drone warships and submarines, forming a "hybrid fleet." Vice Adm. Didier Maleterre highlighted the utility of such a fleet, especially given the dramatically altered strategic context and the threats to vital shipping chokepoints.

The significance of this shift is underscored by the record attendance of 700 companies at the Euronaval exhibition, a 70% increase from the previous event in 2024, indicating a surge in interest and development. Maritime chokepoints, such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, present considerable challenges for naval planning, but the unmanned craft currently in production offer potential solutions.

Naval Group's 10-meter Seaquest uncrewed surface vessel (USV), equipped with the Rampart air defense and surface attack system, is designed for patrol missions ahead of or alongside cargo vessels. Its surveillance system, managed by the Steeris mission system, can detect threats, and its Rampart 68mm laser-guided missiles are capable of intercepting enemy kamikaze drones. Fast attack boats can similarly counter surface threats. The Seaquest boasts a range of up to 500 nautical miles and a top speed of 35 knots. Larger variants, approaching the scale of unmanned warships, are under development, including the Seaquest M, which will be armed with missiles, guns, and torpedoes.

For reconnaissance in coastal waters, Exail's Drix, a slender, submarine-like vessel, can operate at 14 knots, transmitting sonar data and surveillance footage of both coastal areas and surface threats. It has an endurance of 10 days and a range of 1,852 km. Manned submarines are also integrating drone launch capabilities through their torpedo tubes, allowing drones to surface and then take flight for surveillance and attack missions. Progress is also being made with uncrewed submarines, such as the Unmanned Combat Underwater Vehicle, which can function as a mothership deploying smaller, torpedo-like drones for mine detection or underwater espionage. Additionally, decoy drones are being developed to project holograms of warships, potentially luring incoming missiles away from actual vessels.

Former submariner Thierry Petit emphasized the critical future role of subsurface warfare, particularly in shallower areas like the Arabian Sea where surface operations can be hazardous. He noted that submarines, being less vulnerable targets, can deploy their own drone systems to protect shipping. Vice Adm. Didier Maleterre, former French Middle East commander, stressed the need for navies to adapt rapidly due to the swift evolution of computer technology and the lessons learned by hostile states like Iran and Russia from ongoing conflicts. He also pointed to the vulnerability of surface vessels to advanced detection systems and high-speed anti-ship ballistic missiles, citing the USS Abraham Lincoln's repositioning as a potential indicator of such threats.

The advantages of unmanned fleets extend to cost-effectiveness. While deploying a manned frigate can cost approximately €200,000 per day, a drone requires no salary and can operate for extended periods, significantly reducing operational expenses. Furthermore, declining populations in Europe present challenges in crewing traditional warships, making unmanned systems an attractive alternative.

However, retired Vice Admiral Merveilleux du Vignaux cautioned against over-reliance on drones, drawing from his 35 years of naval experience. He highlighted the inherent challenges of the sea, noting that large unmanned platforms may struggle in rough conditions. He proposed that mixed navies, combining human expertise with robotic capabilities, could offer the most effective approach. "Drones can go in areas where you don't want to go, can multiply your eyes and ears by sending them everywhere and your fists too if you want to hit," he stated. He reiterated the urgency for navies to adapt quickly, warning that "Slowness makes me mortal… and international relationships are degrading at a very high pace."