{"id":36374,"date":"2018-01-25T17:14:32","date_gmt":"2018-01-25T17:14:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2018\/01\/25\/drones-mini-subs-among-frances-special-forces-wish-list\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T22:48:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T22:48:47","slug":"drones-mini-subs-among-frances-special-forces-wish-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/europe\/2018\/01\/25\/drones-mini-subs-among-frances-special-forces-wish-list\/","title":{"rendered":"Drones, mini-subs among France\u2019s special forces wish list"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">PARIS \u2015 The head of France\u2019s special forces has presented a wish list to lawmakers that includes a modified NH90 helicopter and a mini-submarine to complement the Barracuda nuclear attack submarine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The wish list also includes a new high-frequency radio, a medium-altitude, medium-endurance drone, and a small number of armored civilian vehicles, according to Adm. Laurent Isnard. The head of Special Operations Command spoke to the defense and armed forces committee of the lower house National Assembly on Dec. 19, but the official minutes were only just published on Jan. 22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A budget of \u20ac250 million (U.S. $309 million) over seven years \u2015 or an annual \u20ac36 million \u2015 is needed for a \u201cmodernization\u201d of the special forces, he said. Apart from aircraft, new equipment needs to be delivered early in the forthcoming multiyear military budget, as a renewal of the vehicle fleet is already two years late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The special forces head laid out the wish list as French authorities draft the 2019-2025 multiyear budget law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The special forces have undergone a transformation, as they now conduct \u201creal military campaigns\u201d rather than delivering a \u201clightning raid,\u201d he said. Conflicts have evolved and enemies are so heavily armed that the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.militarytimes.com\/flashpoints\/2017\/07\/15\/liberation-from-militants-leaves-devastation-in-mosul\/\" title=\"\" class=\"\" style=\"\" target=\"_blank\">battle for Mosul<\/a>, Iraq, was a \u201ccombination of Stalingrad and Twitter,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\t<aside class=\"smg-interstitial-link wp-block-smg-interstitial-link\">\n\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/air\/2018\/01\/17\/what-were-learning-about-frances-air-special-forces-as-they-publicly-recruit\/\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__media\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"154\" src=\"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/GettyImages-496940788.jpg.jpg?w=300\" class=\"smg-interstitial-link__image wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"smg-interstitial-link__content\">\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"smg-interstitial-link__kicker\">Related<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"smg-interstitial-link__title\">What we\u2019re learning about France\u2019s air special forces as they publicly recruit<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"smg-interstitial-link__excerpt\">The French Air Force is for the first time promoting its special forces unit in a bid to recruit civilians. Interested?<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/a>\n\t<\/aside>\n\t\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Africa, France\u2019s special forces hunt down \u201cterrorists\u201d in a bid to dismantle the networks, in close coordination with the American and French intelligence services, he said. France relied on U.S. support in the counterterrorism drive because the French lack medium-altitude, long-endurance drones and electronic intelligence systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>NH90 helicopter<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In regard to helicopters, it is \u201cimperative to &#8230; modernize and homogenize\u201d the fleet for the special forces, which need the NH90 adapted to a special forces standard, he said. \u201cAcquisition is desired to allow access to these fourth-generation helicopters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That would allow the special forces to hand over its Caracal helicopters to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/air\/2018\/01\/16\/french-order-of-c-130j-aircraft-signals-plan-for-larger-air-force-fleet\/\" title=\"\" class=\"\" target=\"_blank\">Air Force<\/a>, he said. Modifying the NH90 offeres interoperability with Australia and New Zealand, which are on the same track, as well as European allies, which fly the same rotorcraft. Working with those partners would cut development costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A special forces NH90 would also operate from French Navy warships considering the service already flies that helicopter, he added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Air Force lost two Caracal helos in operations last year, and an order for one Caracal is due this year after failing to be accepted in 2017, the parliamentary minutes show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An Oct. 13, 2016, parliamentary report said the NH90 helicopters should not be less capable than the present fleet of Caracal and new-generation Cougar helos; its architecture should be open and allow upgrades over several decades; and it should be capable of modifications to allow for combat, airdrops, rope drops and night operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Mini-submarine<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Naval special forces are \u201cwaiting impatiently for entry into service of the PSM3G in 2018,\u201d he noted. That is a third-generation, propelled mini-submarine that would work in conjunction with the Barracuda submarine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That mini-sub would work with the Mistral projection and command ship as an interim measure, he said. \u201cThe PSM3G is a rare and immediately available capability effective against the famous \u2018area-denial\u2019 threat \u2014 the special forces have to be able to get close to an enemy coast to call in a strike,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The mini-submarine is a relatively large unit, capable of being launched from the Barracuda while submerged, he explained. \u201cThey are undetected from departure to return from the mission; that is, to say, an intelligence-gathering mission without being seen, without a signature, without particular risk and with an impressive efficiency,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The particularly high-performing mini-submarine, according to Isnard, would be fully autonomous, run on battery power and have a navigation system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Suffren, the first-of-class Barracuda boat, is due for delivery in 2019 <span class=\"js-paste-start-E76JQS4I2ZCQJLM4B7NTGSW2VQ\">\u2014<span class=\"js-paste-end-E76JQS4I2ZCQJLM4B7NTGSW2VQ\"> a year late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>UAV<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speaking to the Air Force\u2019s acquisition of the Reaper drone, he said it\u2019s essential to take into account the special forces\u2019 needs regarding intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and weapons handling. Those capabilities were a \u201cgame-changer\u201d and would assure a French \u201cstrategic autonomy\u201d with regard to the United States. The special forces are closely tracking the development of light ISR aircraft, he said. This aircraft is among the first capabilities sent into theater in which the special forces are deployed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Special Operations Command plans to launch an acquisition for a medium-altitude, medium-endurance, or MAME, drone with a flight range of 100 kilometers and six hours, he said. This UAV would carry kit for electronic intelligence and light weapons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Three commandos could launch this type of drone, as compared to the weeks it would take to set up a base for the Reaper, the admiral noted. A MAME UAV could spot an enemy on the other side of a town and allow commandos to call in a strike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAll this equipment is available off the shelf, we could buy it immediately if you grant us the necessary budget \u2014 these are small amounts,\u201d he said. An armed MAME drone could help produce a concept of operations for the eventual use of armed UAVs with improved capabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is currently a planned procurement for off-the-shelf mini-drones, possibly through a lease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Communications<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is critical the new long-distance communications deliver interoperability with allied special forces and intelligence services, Isnard noted at the committee hearing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Land vehicles<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the vexed issue of a heavy vehicle, Isnard said a first batch of 25 units delivered in February 2017 had been returned to the manufacturer because their road-worthiness was deemed \u201cdangerous.\u201d That batch is now expected in June, with the rest due, at the earliest, by the end of 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A light vehicle, currently in its prototype stage, is expected to be delivered in 2020, Isnard said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Direction G\u00e9n\u00e9rale de l\u2019Armement procurement office ordered the heavy and light vehicles from Renault Trucks Defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The armored civilian vehicles are urgently needed for discreet transportation in urban areas when French special forces work with allies and local rebel groups, he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The head of France\u2019s special forces has presented a wish list to lawmakers that includes a modified NH90 helicopter and a mini-submarine, among other 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