France has ordered the new Serval DSA 4x4 SHORAD vehicles to improve its ground-based short-range air defence capabilities.
Zone Militaire reported that Serval DSA is being developed in two configurations for two branches of short-range air defence.
One configuration will utilise Nexter’s 30x113 mm RCWS with airburst/proximity fuse ammunition and jammers, focusing on countering UAVs. In contrast, the other uses a development of the SIMBAD RC remote-controlled launcher for MISTRAL MANPADS.
France has ordered 30 of the latter configuration, with the former to follow as the development of the effectors progresses. MISTRAL can engage helicopters, low-flying aircraft, and UAVs in man-portable configuration, while platform-mounted configurations can engage cruise missiles thanks to automated tracking capabilities.
Other recent efforts of France to improve low-tier air defence include the Proteus C-UAS system based on ageing 20 mm anti-aircraft guns and the possible adoption of HATSAN’s BTS-12 semi-auto shotgun with special ammunition against UAVs. Laser weapons, including the hand-held HELMA LP prototype, are also being evaluated.
