**Location and Event:**
On April 26, 2023, in Toulon, France, the French Navy conducted a test by detonating a naval explosive drone against a decommissioned cargo vessel at sea. This live-fire experiment is part of the Navy’s preparation for high-intensity combat amidst increasing global instability.
**Objective of the Test:**
According to the Armed Forces Ministry’s statement, the purpose of the explosion was to improve the guidance and pyrotechnics of remotely-operated naval munition systems. The test aimed to confirm the Navy’s ability to deploy a remotely operated naval munition from a vessel.
**Implementation Details:**
The weaponized unmanned surface vehicle (USV) was launched by an offshore patrol vessel. The target vessel had been depolluted and stripped of fuels and fluids prior to the test. To mitigate risks, the impact zone was shielded with metal plates and tires; however, a video of the blast indicated that the USV may not have successfully struck the intended shield.
**Context of Development:**
This naval-drone experiment follows a series of military tests, including a live torpedo firing in December 2022, where a French Navy nuclear attack submarine launched a F21 heavy torpedo at the decommissioned aviso Premier-Maître L’Her, resulting in its sinking. Additionally, in February 2023, a shock test was conducted on the Lafayette-class frigate Courbet by detonating a naval mine nearby while the vessel was under sail with crew onboard.
**International Implications:**
The use of explosive-packed USVs has drawn interest from militaries worldwide, especially in light of their effectiveness observed in Ukraine’s defense against Russian naval forces in the Black Sea. The Florida-based company Maritime Tactical Systems has revealed developments for a one-way mission naval drone for the U.S. Navy in response to this evolving warfare landscape.
**Author Information:**
This report was authored by Rudy Ruitenberg, a Europe correspondent for Defense News. He has a background in reporting for Bloomberg News with experience in technology, commodity markets, and political news.
