The French Navy has begun testing the CB 90HSM, Sweden's most modern amphibious assault boat

In the early summer of 2025, the French Navy began testing the advanced high-speed landing craft CB 90HSM, which is the most modern version of the CB 90 series in service with the Royal Swedish Navy. Some French officers and sailors received preliminary training on this vessel under the guidance of their Swedish colleagues, which was an important step in preparing for testing.

These tests cover the so-called "extended period", during which experts will evaluate the combat, transport and tactical capabilities of the boat in various conditions. The main goal is to determine to what extent the CB 90HSM meets the requirements of the French Marine Corps units — Fusiliers marins, which are responsible for protecting both naval bases and ships in open water.

The CB 90HSM is an upgraded version of the original **CB 90**, which has received improved ballistic protection, the ability to install remotely controlled combat modules, and more advanced navigation and communication systems. It is equipped with two Scania DI16 V8 diesel engines, which allows it to reach speeds of over 40 knots, as well as carry up to 21 passengers with full ammunition.

The tests conducted by the French navy may be the first step towards the possible acquisition of this type of boat for the needs of the fleet, especially given the increasing interest of NATO countries in rapid amphibious operations and counteraction in coastal areas. Given the successful operation of the CB 90HSM in Sweden and its high mobility, it is expected that it may be useful for other countries seeking to modernize their coastal and amphibious forces.

i-Naval 2025: France orders SEAEXPLORER 1000-M underwater gliders with acoustic payload

 During the i-Naval 2025 event in France, the French small company Alseamar signed a contract with the French Navy (Marine Nationale) to supply a batch of five underwater gliders with an acoustic payload by the end of the year.

ALSEAMAR announces the signing of a contract with the French Navy for the supply of an initial batch of five SEAEXPLORER 1000-M gliders, the military version of the latest generation of gliders, by the end of 2025.

These gliders will include a payload equipped with an AURIS solution developed by ALSEAMAR for acoustic underwater surveillance.

SEAEXPLORER 1000-M gliders

The fourth nuclear submarine of the Barracuda class "De Grasse" left the construction workshop

Barracuda-class nuclear attack submarine

On May 27, 2025, the fourth Barracuda-class nuclear attack submarine, named De Grasse, was removed from the construction workshop for transfer to a DME-type floating platform. This submarine is part of a series of six Suffren-class submarines that will gradually replace the obsolete Rubis-class nuclear submarines in the French navy.

De Grasse is the fourth vessel under the Barracuda program, and her rollout marks an important milestone in the project's implementation. After being placed on a floating platform, the submarine will undergo final work and initial tests at the berth, which will prepare it for the start of sea trials scheduled for 2026.

The Barracuda program is aimed at modernizing and strengthening the French submarine fleet, providing increased combat capabilities and technological level of the submarine. The new boats are equipped with modern weapons systems, improved acoustic camouflage and enhanced capabilities to perform various combat missions.

The deployment of De Grasse to a floating platform is a key step that brings the French navy closer to upgrading its submarine forces and maintaining a strategic balance in the region. The successful completion of the sea trials will allow the submarine to be put into operation and increase the country's defense capability.

France is preparing to launch the PA-NG aircraft carrier program: a new stage in naval power

 

French shipbuilding company Naval Group has announced that the country plans to place an order for a promising aircraft carrier **PA-NG (Porte-Avions de Nouvelle Génération)** by the end of 2025. This project will be the largest warship ever built in Europe and is intended to replace the existing nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which has been in service since 2001. Delivery of the new ship is expected by 2038, which will strengthen France's position as one of the leaders in the field of maritime defense.   

The new generation aircraft carrier will be equipped with a nuclear power plant, providing high autonomy and power. Its displacement is estimated at 75,000 tons, which will surpass that of Charles de Gaulle (42,000 tons). The aircraft will be able to accommodate modern Rafale fighter jets, as well as promising unmanned aerial vehicles. The ship will receive an integrated combat control system and improved air and missile defense systems.  

The current flagship of the French navy, Charles de Gaulle, is undergoing modernization, but its operational life is limited. PA-NG will ensure the continuity of France's aircraft carrier capability, enhancing strategic independence and the ability to project power. The new ship will become the basis for operations in the open ocean and support the country's global interests.    

The PA-NG is being developed jointly with British and American partners, especially in terms of creating electromagnetic catapults (EMALS) and aircraft launch systems. This will allow France to introduce advanced technologies similar to those used on American Ford-class aircraft carriers.  

The creation of PA-NG underscores France's ambitions to strengthen defense independence in the face of growing geopolitical instability. The ship will also strengthen the country's role in coalition operations and demonstrate the technical potential of the European shipbuilding industry.  

The French Navy and the Army conducted the Dragoon Fury 2025 exercise: Testing new technologies in amphibious operations

 The French Navy and Army recently conducted the Dragoon Fury 2025 exercise. They consisted of testing new technologies in amphibious operations to better adapt to the threats faced in modern warfare.

The troops deployed with the Mistral-class LHD Tonnerre simulated a "high-intensity" attack in the south of France, near Toulon. About 700 people were involved. During these exercises, the army and Navy trained to work as a single unit in order to obtain the best possible synergy for an amphibious operation in the restricted area.

More than just an exercise, the latter was an opportunity for the military to work in collaboration with several companies that demonstrated the capabilities of their solutions, especially in terms of drones, to try out new tactics. A dozen companies tested and tested their unmanned systems during the exercises.

Couach  Magellan USV  with a Seasam ROV  payload

The French Navy Is Testing A New L22 Tactical Channel in the Indo-Pacific Region

The French Navy (Marine Nationale) is experimenting with a new L22 tactical data transmission channel during the deployment of its aircraft carrier strike group (CSG) in the Indo-Pacific region. The move underscores France's desire to strengthen its information exchange capabilities in the face of the increasing complexity of maritime operations and technological advances.

The L22 channel is an innovative system designed to provide high-speed and secure data exchange between ships, aircraft, and ground control centers. It allows you to transmit a wide range of information, including target data, coordinates, video streams and command instructions, which significantly increases operational awareness and coordination of actions within the strike group.

This system is part of Marine Nationale's broader approach to the digital transformation of its naval forces, aimed at adapting to modern challenges such as asymmetric threats, cyber attacks and the increasing activity of other States in strategically important regions.

The deployment of the French carrier strike group in the Indo-Pacific region provides a unique opportunity to test the L22 channel in real conditions. This region is characterized by a high density of shipping, a complex electromagnetic environment and the presence of many potential threats, which makes it an ideal platform for evaluating the effectiveness of the new system.

As part of the experiment, the L22 channel will be used to coordinate actions between the flagship aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, escort ships, anti-submarine aircraft and helicopters. It is expected that this will increase the level of interaction between the various elements of the strike group, as well as improve their ability to respond quickly to a changing situation.

Special attention is paid to the compatibility of the L22 channel with the existing communication standards of the allied countries, especially those that are members of NATO. This is important to ensure the smooth exchange of information during multinational operations, where the coordination of different fleets plays a key role.

The Indo-Pacific region is also the site of numerous joint exercises involving the Navies of the United States, Australia, Japan and other partners of France. The successful integration of the L22 channel into these operations can be an important factor in strengthening defensive ties between the countries.

The E-2C Hawkeye on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier

Charles de Gaulle

Thales Delivers World's First Autonomous Mine Defense Drone System to French Navy

 Thales has supplied the first autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle system for mine defense to the French Navy as part of the Franco-British MMCM (Maritime Mine Counter Measures) program. This delivery is the first in the world, as the system is the first autonomous surface drone to enter service with the Navy.

 This project, implemented under the auspices of the Organization for Arms Cooperation (OCCAR) and led by the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA), represents a significant technological development in the field of mine warfare, a strategic area for maritime security and freedom of navigation.