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

07 Nov 2024 11:15 CET

Press release

Paris, 7 November 2024

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.

The SLAMF program aims to renew the French Navy's mine warfare capabilities through the massive use of autonomous systems. Its objectives include securing the deployment of submarines and the French aircraft carrier, protecting access to ports, and supporting the deployment of a naval action force. This new system will allow sailors to operate remotely from the danger zone.

The SLAMF program equipment[1] includes carrier surface vessels (mine warfare ships), diver support vessels, the renewal of the mine warfare data exploitation system, and drone systems. These drone systems consist of surface naval drones and underwater drones. The agreement announced today concerns only the A-18 underwater drone, which performs the detection mission. The client will later choose other equipment and subsystems to have a complete next-generation system.

A joint statement with Thales is available via the following link: link

About Exail Technologies

Exail Technologies is an industrial company specializing in high technologies in the field of autonomous robotics with vertical integration of its activities. The group offers complex systems of drones, navigation, as well as products for aerospace and photonics. Exail Technologies ensures performance, reliability, and security for its civil and military clients operating in harsh environments and generates its revenue in nearly 80 countries.

Exail Technologies is listed on Euronext Paris Compartment B (EXA) and is part of the Euronext Tech Leaders segment, which includes over 110 leading or high-growth tech companies in their fields.

www.exail-technologies.com

[1] Source Direction Générale de l'Armement : Le système de lutte anti-mines marines futur (SLAMF) | Ministère des Armées

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