DGA chooses Exail and Thalès to equip the French Navy with underwater drones

The French Armament Agency (DGA) announced at the Euronaval trade show an agreement with Exail and Thalès to supply sixteen autonomous underwater drones to the French Navy. This agreement is part of the SLAMF program, which aims to modernize mine countermeasures capacity. The new A18-M vehicles, designed by Exail, will be equipped with the SAMDIS 600 sonar from Thalès.

This order is among the largest of 2024, with potential for additional extensions and services. SLAMF aims to secure and optimize French naval military operations, with a particular focus on submarine and aircraft carrier security, as well as port protection.