France is strengthening its strategy against armed drones thanks to lessons learned from international events and technological innovations.

The threats posed by armed and autonomous drones (air and sea) are intensifying, as witnessed by recent conflicts in the Red and Black Seas. France is mobilizing its resources to counter these risks, with a budget of 5 billion euros earmarked in the 2024-2030 Military Programming Law. Systems such as E-Trap and Skyjacker, as well as innovations in jamming, illustrate France’s efforts to respond rapidly and cost-effectively to this threat. These technologies were successfully put into practice at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, underlining their effectiveness in complex environments.

A growing global threat

Autonomous drone attacks are becoming a global strategic challenge. In Ukraine, Russian drone strikes are frequent, while Israel is preparing for coordinated drone and missile attacks. The Red Sea has recently seen autonomous surface vessels (USVs) strike commercial and military vessels. At the same time, Ukraine has used these technologies to damage the Russian fleet in the Black Sea.

These events demonstrate that drones, whether airborne or sea-based, represent an asymmetric threat capable of bypassing traditional defenses. Their relatively low cost – often less than 1,000 euros per unit, according to some estimates – contrasts with the high price of conventional defense systems. These attacks require cost-effective, rapid and automated defensive solutions.

An ambitious budgetary response

France is devoting a budget of 5 billion euros to ground-air defense, including anti-drone systems, as part of the 2024-2030 Military Programming Law. This funding reflects the urgent need to develop effective tools in the face of these threats.

During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the French authorities implemented 20,000 hours of anti-drone surveillance, 10 times more than the 2023 Rugby World Cup. A total of 355 unauthorized drones were detected, leading to 81 arrests. These figures underline the proliferation of drones and the importance of sophisticated devices to ensure safety.

French innovations: efficiency and economy

E-Trap system

Developed by Thales, the E-Trap is a high-power antenna emitting an electromagnetic pulse designed to destroy the electronic components of drones. This system is effective against isolated drones or swarms, and offers a cost-effective solution compared with the use of expensive missiles.

The E-Trap was discreetly deployed at the 2024 Olympic Games, demonstrating its effectiveness in real-life conditions. Its deployment cost remains competitive, although precise figures remain confidential.

Skyjacker system

Co-developed by Safran Electronics & Defense and Hologarde, the Skyjacker diverts drones from their trajectory by manipulating GPS signals. Its effectiveness extends to ranges of 10 km, and it can manage swarms of drones in both land and sea environments.

The system will be installed on three FREMM frigates of the French Navy, reinforcing anti-drone capabilities at sea. The cost per ship is still estimated at several million euros.

Towards automated responses

The need for increased automation to counter drones was highlighted at Euronaval. According to Thales, the rapid integration of radar data and its transmission to neutralization systems must be fully automated to guarantee real-time responses.

This approach reduces operational costs while increasing the accuracy and speed of interventions. New-generation radars, combined with jamming technologies such as Nerod, illustrate this trend.

Economic and strategic consequences

The emergence of anti-drone systems is creating significant economic opportunities. MC2 Technologies, for example, has already exported 500 Nerod devices to countries such as Luxembourg, Japan and Côte d’Ivoire. This global market is estimated to be worth over 12 billion euros by 2027.

However, this technological race poses challenges. Countries need to strike a balance between investing in research and controlling operational costs. What’s more, the proliferation of low-cost drones makes the threat difficult to contain, requiring constant innovation.

Outlook: strengthening international cooperation

As well as strengthening its national capabilities, France is working with its European and international partners to share innovations. Greater coordination between European Union member states could accelerate the development of standardized systems, reducing costs for each country.

Recent events, notably in Ukraine and the Red Sea, underline the urgent need for a coordinated, proactive response to a constantly evolving threat.

By investing massively in these technologies, France is not only responding to an immediate threat, but also anticipating future conflicts in which drones will play a central role.

We offer a fighter jet rides in France – come fly with us! And you can even take the controls!