French Navy to deploy VTOL drones on support vessels from late 2026

"Pre-flight preparation takes just a few minutes, and the drone can also be launched in sea conditions that previously would have prevented a safe net recovery," navy spokespeople said.

The modified UAV will have a new wing design and revised fuselage but will retain the original autopilot and data link.

Each system comprises two aircraft and a ground control station. Take-off and landing are automated, and live video from a 30x zoom electro-optical/infrared turret is streamed to the host vessel's operations room.

Aliaca has a maximum take-off weight of 25 kg, a wingspan of 3.6 metres, and a length of 2.2 metres. The electric version offers up to three hours' endurance and a 50-kilometre data-link range, while the hybrid version offers up to six hours’ endurance and a 100-kilometre radius of operation.

The navy first operated the catapult-launched Aliaca on an offshore patrol vessel in 2019 and ordered additional systems in 2020. Beginning in 2022, deliveries went to offshore patrol vessels, with surveillance frigates and new overseas patrol vessels also receiving systems.