French Navy purchases advanced underwater drones for enhanced deep-sea surveillance

The French Navy has ordered an autonomous underwater vehicle from Exail to surveil critical infrastructure at depths of up to 6,000 meters. The new drone will be based on the firm’s Ulyx, co-developed with Ifremer, the national institute for ocean science. It will primarily be used for reconnaissance operations across the seabed, covering sensitive infrastructure like submarine cables. NATO officials have warned of the potential threat from Russia targeting undersea cables. French Navy is focusing on safeguarding its sovereignty of the seabed as a key priority in the French investment plan for 2030, including the purchase of autonomous and remote-controlled undersea vehicles. The delivery of the AUV from Exail is expected before 2030.