French Navy tests low-cost kamikaze sea drones to boost frigate defence

In Toulon, Seaowl’s director of technical systems, Mathieu Glade, demonstrated the Tracus, a cheap sea drone built from a split jetski and fitted with satellite control, low-profile radar and thermal masking. The French navy employs the drone in swarm exercises to train frigate crews in counter-drone tactics, and two units have already been lost and later recovered. Glade announced that a kamikaze variant carrying a large explosive payload will be introduced shortly.

French naval officers, including vice-admiral Didier Maleterre, argue that unmanned platforms are vital for future maritime operations, citing the high daily cost of manned frigates and the growing difficulty of operating them in contested waters. Exail’s Oryx surface drone, designed for long-duration patrols, is also being showcased, while the Naval Group’s Seaquest S can be mounted on frigates to provide additional weapon options. The overall push reflects a broader NATO focus on unmanned maritime capabilities.