French Navy’s De Grasse SSN enters critical sea trials phase
France’s fourth Barracuda-class nuclear attack submarine De Grasse (S638), has begun sea trials. Naval Group confirmed the delivery to French Navy in 2026.
France News
Navy / Maritime
Analysis
Air
Germany’s FCAS fault line reopens after Enders warning
Tom Enders’ criticism of Germany’s FCAS partnership exposes unresolved industrial tensions and raises fresh questions over the programme’s strategic direction.
Land
Weapon / Missile
Bilateral Relations
France in Talks with Germany for a Land-Based MRBM
ArianeGroup, responsible for the M51 SLBM, is discussing a partnership with Germany for a new generation land-based medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM).
Simulator / AI / Drill/ Software
Sensors
Homeland Security
Expo and Air Show
ATERMES to present integrated surveillance systems in Riyadh
French firm ATERMES will present AI-enabled surveillance and border security systems at WDS26, focusing on integrated architectures already in operational use.
Air
Germany’s Merz Reopens a Closed FCAS Debate with France
Chancellor Merz has reignited a dispute widely portrayed as resolved within FCAS, exposing unresolved tensions over industrial sovereignty and leadership.
Navy / Maritime
Air
Unmanned Systems
Turgis Gaillard and Naval Group to Adapt AAROK for Ships
Naval Group announced an agreement with Turgis Gaillard to develop a shipborne variant of the AAROK UCAV, setting France as a new player in shipborne UCAVs.
Air
Indonesia Starts Receiving Rafale F4 Fighters from France
The Indonesian Air Force has started receiving its Rafale F4 multirole fighter jets from France, with the delivery of three aircraft out of 42 ordered.
Air
Weapon / Missile
Unmanned Systems
DGA and MBDA Ink Deal for One-Way Effector Kamikaze UAV
DGA and MBDA have signed a deal for the development and production of the One-Way Effector turbojet-powered kamikaze UAV as a low-cost saturation weapon.
Air
Regional / Strategy
Croatia’s Rafales assume NATO air policing duty 24/7
Croatia started protecting its own airspace on 1 Jan 2026 with Rafale fighters under NATO’s IAMD, completing its MiG-21 transition and training phase.
Regional / Strategy
French MP calls for planned NATO exit after Trump row
Clémence Guetté says the US is kidnapping a head of state in Venezuela and threatening Greenland, urging France to leave NATO’s integrated command now.
Navy / Maritime
Greece commissions first Belharra frigate Kimon from France
Greece receives its first Belharra-class frigate, HS Kimon in order to modernise the Hellenic Navy with cyber-attacks resilience and air defence systems.
Navy / Maritime
Weapon / Missile
Ukraine’s MİLGEM Corvette Dons VL MICA Missile Launchers
Social media post honouring the Day of Ukraine’s Armed Forces shows what appears to be Hetman Ivan Mazepa (F-211) corvette with VL MICA launchers at stern.
Navy / Maritime
Bilateral Relations
Regional / Strategy
Defence Politics
Why Romania Preferred the Turkish Solution: MILGEM Akhisar
This article discusses how Romania needed naval modernisation but pursued EU-driven policies instead of choosing Türkiye’s proven, cost-effective solution.
Navy / Maritime
Air
Weapon / Missile
French Navy Rafale Tests ASMPA-R Nuclear Cruise Missile
Following the entry into service with the Air Force, a French Navy Rafale-M fighter tested the ASMPA-R supersonic nuclear cruise missile, an upgrade of ASMP-A.
