The Airbus Helicopters VSR700 naval VTOL UAV made its maiden flight on November 8 at the Aix-en-Provence drone test center (south of France). Several test captive-flights were successfully performed on an enhanced version of the UAV.

The French Navy’s VBSS (Visit, Board, Seach and Seizure) teams will soon be able to improve their skills ashore with a new training module the French Armed Forces Ministry plans to build next year at the Toulon naval base (south of France), according to an RFP issued on Tuesday.

A temporary consortium formed by Chantiers de l'Atlantique and Naval Group has been awarded a contract for four Logistic Support Ships (LSS). As part of the deal, MAN Energy Solutions will supply the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard with a total of 16 engines in connection with the building of the four refuelling tankers for the French Navy.

The first two ATL2 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) upgraded by Dassault Aviation were delivered to the French Navy (Marine Nationale) at the Lann-Bihoué naval air base.

On October 24, the steel-cutting ceremony of the first FDI (Defense and Intervention Frigate) took place at the Naval Group shipyard in Lorient, in the presence of the Minister for the Armed Forces Florence Parly and the Chief of the Hellenic Navy Nikolaos Tsounis.

At the 2019 PACIFIC International Maritime Exposition, which is held in Sydney (Australia) until 10 October, the French Marine Industry Group (GICAN) is bringing together the largest delegation of businesses in the France Pavilion, with 26 businesses at its stand and, for the first time, 11 under the Australian flag or in connection with a local partner – a sign that French shipbuilding manufacturers are developing partnerships with Australian manufacturers.

The French Navy recently launched a tender calling for construction work at the Lanvéoc-Poulmic naval air base (BAN) prior to delivery of an interim fleet of Airbus Helicopter H160-type light multirole helicopters.