Autonomous Drone, Underwater Robot to Enhance French Navy’s Deep-Sea Capabilities

The French Directorate General for Armaments (DGA) has partnered with the General Secretariat for Investment (SGPI) to develop two underwater robotics systems for the French Navy under the "seabed control" (MFM) program as part of France's 2030 investment strategy.

This initiative aims to address the increasing need for exploration and activity on the deep seabed, which has largely remained unexplored. The strategic goals include acquiring comprehensive knowledge of the deep seabed and fostering the development of a cluster of industrialists to ensure France’s and Europe’s strategic autonomy in underwater technology.

The two new systems include an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), both capable of operating at depths of up to 6,000 meters. These technologies will support missions crucial for safeguarding underwater infrastructure, ensuring the operational freedom of naval forces, and protecting national interests.

These acquisitions align with a ministerial strategy on seabed control published in February 2022, which outlines three core functions: understanding the depths of the sea, monitoring underwater infrastructure, and facilitating actions directed toward the seabed. The capability roadmap for this initiative is established in the military programming law through the MFM program, which aims to optimize public spending while enhancing defense capabilities.

The contracts for the AUV and ROV have been awarded to Exail and Travocean, respectively. Exail has been chosen to develop the deep-sea Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). Their proposal, the “A6K-M” drone, is built on collaborative work with IFREMER for the Ulyx drone. This AUV will feature sonars, with plans for integration and qualification on the French Navy's metropolitan support and assistance vessels (BSAM) and air transportability via the A400M.

Travocean, a subsidiary of the Louis Dreyfus Armateurs (LDA) group and specialist in submarine cable installation, has been selected to develop the deep-sea Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Their “ROV-DeepSea” robot is an adaptation of their compact ROV line, equipped with high-performance optics and a variety of tools. The contract includes integration and qualification on the chartered support and assistance vessel (BSAA) Jason, as well as air transportability in an A400M.

 These robotics systems will be operational by 2026, contributing to France's commitment to exploring and securing its extensive maritime territory, which includes the second-largest exclusive economic zone in the world.