The event marked the first time the French Navy trained its surface combatants crews and Rafale M pilots to repel UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) and USV (unmanned surface vessels) attacks. “This training day, dedicated to the fight against drones, aimed to train the units to face a threat that is more topical than ever” the French Navy announced in a statement.
Participating units included FREMM frigate Bretagne, Offshore Patrol Vessel Enseigne de vaisseau Jacoubet , Rafale M fighters from two air wings and a Fusiliers Marin (Navy Riflemen) battalion. Acting as threats were UAVs, USVs and micro-drones. They were implemented in order to test how crews fight against asymmetric threats.
“By allowing navy riflemen to test their jamming and neutralization equipment on the high seas, by allowing surface ship crews to confront different types of aerial and surface drones, and by offering Rafale M pilots the opportunity to deal with a USV at high speed, this day fulfilled all of its objectives”.
French Navy
Initially, the FREMM frigate Bretagne found herself confronted with UAVs displaying flight speeds varying from 50 to 85 m/s. This was an opportunity to measure the effectiveness of the 76mm main gun as well as that of lower calibers such as the 20mm Narwhal remote weapon stations or the manned 12.7 mm machine gun.
Following these air raids, micro-drones took off from the FREMM helicopter deck to test the jamming capabilities of the BADA rifle (autonomous anti-drone jammer) and their neutralization via shotguns with specific anti-drone ammunition. This equipment, implemented by the navy riflemen aboard the OPV, was initially intended for use from land. “Their use on the high seas has proven to be instructive. The protection brigades of the participating units were also able to attempt to destroy these drones using the weapons with which they are usually equipped (HK 416 and FAMAS)”, the French Navy concluded.
Comments by Tayfun Ozberk, former Turkish Navy surface warfare officer
Unmanned vehicles are participating in naval warfare year after year. While defense contractors in many countries are working to develop new types of unmanned ships, navies are working to integrate unmanned systems into their fleets under the concept of manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T).
Meanwhile, the effectiveness of the UAV and USVs in the Russo-Ukrainian war proved the paradigm shift in Naval Warfare. The use of UAVs for surveillance and assault missions, as well as suicide USV assaults of the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the Russian warships showed that these small but effective vessels increased the complexity of Naval Warfare.
In this case, developing countermeasures is paramount. Engaging in such small and swift with classical weapons with non-fragmented rounds doesn’t offer a high probability to destroy the target. Using weapons with fragmented rounds increases the hit probability.
On the other hand, such weapons should be the last measure against such drones, just like close in weapon systems. To decrease the risk against valuable combatants, UAV/USV assaults should be neutralized before the suicide drone enters the vital area of the warship. The importance of arming warships with small guided missiles, such as Longbow Hellfire or L-UMTAS, has increased.
Though guided missiles are effective, it’s still not clear whether they would be enough to repel swarm attacks including dozens of drones. Therefore, adding laser weapons to the warships or flotilla’s layered defense system seems to be a subject in the near future.
The most recent Ukraine war showed that drones are relatively cheap and effective, without developing solid measures and CONOPS, the warships wouldn’t be safe at sea. Even the strongest ones.
