France Orders Airbus VSR700 Uncrewed Aerial System

Why It Matters

The deal boosts the French Navy’s maritime ISR capabilities and marks a significant step toward European self‑reliance in naval unmanned technology, while opening export opportunities for Airbus and Naval Group.

Key Takeaways

• Six VSR700 drones ordered for French Navy by 2028
• Airbus and Naval Group handle production and ship integration
• ISR suite includes radar, EO sensor, AIS receiver
• Dual-use platform supports logistics, armed scouting, civilian missions
• Serial production targets export customers beyond French Navy

Pulse Analysis

The French Ministry of the Armed Forces has moved a key step forward in its maritime unmanned strategy by signing a contract for six Airbus VSR700 systems. Built on the proven Cabri G2 airframe, the VSR700 is the first European naval‑specific rotary‑wing drone to enter serial production, with deliveries slated for 2028. The programme, launched at the 2025 Paris Air Show, reflects a broader push by European nations to reduce reliance on legacy manned helicopters and to embed autonomous ISR assets directly onto surface combatants. The VSR700’s ISR configuration bundles a maritime surveillance radar, an electro‑optical payload and an AIS receiver, delivering a persistent picture of the battlespace from a compact, low‑signature platform. Naval Group will integrate the drone with the Steeris® Mission System, linking sensor data to the ship’s combat management suite in real time. Airbus’s HTeaming technology further allows the unmanned vehicle to operate in concert with crewed helicopters, extending range and endurance while preserving crew safety. Such sensor fusion and cooperative flight capabilities are expected to shorten detection cycles and improve decision‑making during anti‑piracy, mine‑countermeasure and surface‑warfare missions. The contract also signals Airbus Helicopters’ ambition to commercialise the VSR700 beyond national borders. By establishing a dedicated serial‑production line, the consortium can meet export demand from NATO allies seeking cost‑effective maritime UAS solutions. Competitors such as Leonardo’s AW609 and Boeing’s MQ‑8C share the same market, but the VSR700’s dual‑use design—capable of logistics, armed scouting and civilian disaster response—offers a versatile value proposition. If export orders materialise, the programme could generate a new revenue stream for both Airbus and Naval Group while reinforcing Europe’s strategic autonomy in unmanned naval warfare.

France orders Airbus VSR700 uncrewed aerial system

Marignane, France, 16 January 2026

The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) has awarded a contract to Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group for the production of six VSR700 uncrewed aerial systems. The VSR700s will be operated from 2028 by the French Navy.

“We are honored that the French Ministry for the Armed Forces has decided to launch the next phase of the VSR700 programme with serial production for France and future export customers within the frame of the agreement signed at the Paris Air Show in 2025. Airbus Helicopters is fully committed to delivering this much‑needed operational capability. Our teams are focused on providing the French Navy with a reliable, high‑performance tool that enhances their sovereignty and mission success,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.

“To ensure the success of this next chapter, we have established a new industrial setup specifically designed for serial production. This structure allows us to adapt to the specificities of the UAS market and to scale efficiently while maintaining the highest standards of aeronautical safety and performance,” he added.

The VSR700 will be delivered in an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) configuration comprising a surveillance radar, an electro‑optical system and an AIS (Automatic Identification System) receiver. Naval Group will ensure its integration into the overall architecture of the ships and its interconnection with the combat system thanks to the Steeris® Mission System.

The VSR700 is a dual‑use uncrewed aerial system, based on the crewed Cabri G2 from Hélicoptères Guimbal. The naval military version was developed and tested within the French Navy and DGA SDAM (Système de drone aérien de la Marine) programme, in cooperation with Naval Group. The VSR700 and its mission system have been extensively tested over land and at sea. Often deployed in complement of a crewed helicopter, the VSR700 can be used to extend a vessel’s intelligence‑gathering capabilities and conduct long‑endurance surveillance missions.

The VSR700 can accommodate a variety of long‑range, high‑performance sensors. Although it will be used in an ISR configuration by the French Navy, the VSR700 is a multirole UAS that can be employed for logistics, armed scouting, and other missions in maritime or land environments. It can also serve civil missions such as firefighting and disaster relief. Airbus has demonstrated the VSR700’s ability to team with crewed helicopters using the HTeaming solution.