The DGA selects Exail and Thales to provide sixteen underwater drones to the French Navy

Yesterday morning, at the Euronaval exhibition, the French defense procurement agency (DGA), Exail, and Thales signed an agreement to supply sixteen autonomous underwater vehicles, including 8 in option, as part of the SLAMF mine-hunting program. The French Navy aims to equip itself with autonomous A18-M drones, developed and designed by Exail. These drones will be equipped with the SAMDIS 600 sonar developed by Thales.

The firm tranche of this order would be the largest order of 2024, following the K-STER order (€60 million) signed in July. It could later be supplemented by a conditional tranche as well as maintenance and services.