Maritime port security: the (French) Defence Innovation Agency and the French Navy select the most promising surface drones

9 October 2026 – Lessons learned from current conflicts and recent technological advancements necessitate the development of innovative solutions to protect vessels and maritime facilities against new threats.

The Autonomous Naval Surface Drone with Onboard Weaponry (DANAE, Drone de surface Autonome Naval avec capacité d’Armement Embarqué) project, launched in January 2026, aims to equip the French Navy with surface drones capable of providing port protection and vessel escort.

Following the initial testing phase conducted by the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), the Defence Innovation Agency (AID) has announced the selected partners.

In an environment marked by persistent tensions, the French Navy faces new challenges regarding port security. The innovative DANAE partnership was established to address these challenges.

Innovative solutions to ensure the security of vessels and port facilities

This innovation partnership is led by the AID and the French Navy, with technical support from DGA Techniques Navales (DGA-TN) expertise and testing centre. This future autonomous surface drone – which can be armed – is designed for two primary missions: vessel escort and port protection (military or civilian).

The project’s key technical challenges include:

•          decision-making autonomy and weapon control, while ensuring the final decision remains with the operator;

•          navigation;

•          autonomous threat classification;

•          energy management to ensure sufficient endurance for mission completion.

To achieve these objectives, this innovation partnership will proceed in three main phases: study, design and development, and system acquisition and support.

The first phase, launched in January 2026, involved testing seven existing surface drone solutions and selecting the three systems with the greatest potential to meet the French Navy’s stated requirements.

The second phase, which began in September 2026 and will run until the end of 2027, aims to finalize the development of the most advanced prototypes – ensuring they fully meet operational needs – and to evaluate the three solutions in order to select the most suitable one.

The third phase will see the launch of serial production, entry into service, and initial support for the selected solution.

Selection process

The testing phase took place from January 19 to 23, 2026, south of the Saint-Mandrier peninsula, near Toulon. Working alongside the French Navy and the AID (Defence Innovation Agency), the DGA evaluated the performance of seven drones proposed by participating French manufacturers based on criteria such as navigation, endurance, and decision-making autonomy (excluding the decision to neutralize a target).

At the conclusion of these trials, the selected partners were SeaOwl; the consortium comprising SEAir, ÆGIR, MBDA and Diades Marine; and the consortium comprising SIREHNA, Couach, and Naval Group.

“These three partners were selected for offering the most advanced innovative solutions according to the selection criteria,” notes Jean-François Thomas, Innovation Acceleration Manager at the AID and head of the DANAE project.

SEAIR

The drone from the ORCAS consortium – for which SEAir acts as the platform provider and integrator – is a multi-mission Flying USV (Unmanned Surface Vehicle). Designed for deployment from frigates, it is intended for offensive and defensive operations within a naval force, as well as for the protection of port and maritime facilities. As the only hydrofoil-equipped drone of its kind, it stands out due to the advantages it offers in terms of range, speed, stealth, and the stability of its sensors and weapons in rough seas.

SEAOWL

Nemezis is an innovative solution featuring a dual-mode architecture (manned and autonomous) that extends the operational capabilities of the EDO NG MN craft [Embarcation de Drome Opérationnelle de Nouvelle Génération Marine Nationale]. The vessel is equipped with a sensor suite and a non-lethal deterrent turret, enabling day and night patrol missions, area surveillance, and the escort and protection of infrastructure or other ships. High levels of payload integration and autonomous decision-making capabilities allow a single operator to manage the drone (or a swarm of drones).

SIREHNA

Seaquest S is a modular, versatile drone designed to integrate seamlessly into existing systems and keep pace with the evolution of naval warfare. Its intermediate 9-meter size allows it to be carried aboard Navy vessels and rapidly deployed, either individually or in coordination with other drones. It was specifically designed to operate in very rough sea conditions, ensuring continuous operational capability for naval personnel. Designed from the outset as a drone, it features scalable autonomous navigation capabilities to handle a wide range of missions across diverse deployment environments.

Starting in September 2026, the selected partners will have 12 months to refine their drones. Subsequently, the AID and the French Navy – supported by the expertise and resources of DGA-TN – will conduct evaluations.

Ultimately, the DANAE system will bolster the French Navy’s capabilities in the face of emerging threats while contributing to France’s strategic autonomy in the field of autonomous surface drones. This is a pioneering project aimed at ensuring the operational superiority of the armed forces.

Photos courtesy of AID and L. Peruzzi