French Army Showcases Next-Gen Tactical Drones in Paris

French Army Unveils Advanced Tactical Drones in Paris

The French Army recently showcased its cutting-edge tactical drones, including the DT46 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and the innovative SL450, to a gathering of government and defense officials. The event, known as the 2025 Army Presentation (Présentation de l'armée de Terre 2025), took place on October 15 and 16, 2025, at the prestigious École Militaire in Paris. Hosted by the French Army's 40th Artillery Regiment (40RA), the exhibition underscored France's commitment to modernizing its military capabilities through advanced unmanned systems.

The DT46 UAV: Enhancing Reconnaissance and Surveillance

A centerpiece of the display was the DT46 UAV, developed by French firm Delair. This tactical drone is designed to replace older platforms and significantly enhance the reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities of frontline units. The DT46 boasts impressive operational flexibility, capable of flying for up to three hours in its vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) configuration, and extending its endurance to over six hours when converted to a fixed-wing setup.

Key features of the DT46 include:

• A fully encrypted communication range of 100 kilometers (62 miles), supporting covert intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
• Dual payloads, comprising a gimbal electro-optical infrared camera and a lidar sensor, providing real-time data of its surroundings.
• A weight of less than 30 kg, making it highly deployable.

The DT46 is currently being fielded by various units, with General Pierre Schill, chief of the French Army, stating that it 'will further improve the ability of artillery regiments to acquire and destroy targets in the depth of the battlefield.'

Soldier-Made Innovation: The SL450 Training Drone

Another highlight was the SL450 drone, a testament to 'soldier-made' innovation. This drone was developed in-house by the 17th Artillery Regiment (17RA) in collaboration with Per Se Systems. The SL450 serves a crucial role as a target drone, supporting counter-drone training for artillery units and preparing personnel to engage and neutralize hostile UAVs.

The rapid development and production of the SL450 are notable, with the aerial asset reportedly going from design to deployment in just weeks. Troops received the SL450 from 17RA's generator-powered 3D autonomous mobile factory, which houses 10 3D printers capable of producing 100 drones within a week. This initiative reflects a philosophy of 'frugal, fast, targeted, and robust innovation, designed for the field and the specific needs of operators,' as stated by Per Se Systems.

Strategic Modernization and Future Outlook

The exhibition at the École Militaire provided a platform for military units to engage with a wide array of attendees, including French and foreign authorities, parliamentarians, defense students, and members of the Institut des hautes études de défense nationale (IHEDN). The Army's use of both the DT46 and SL450 reflects a comprehensive approach that integrates advanced ISR capabilities and robust counter-UAV preparedness within its artillery regiments.

These developments are part of broader modernization efforts outlined in France's military planning law, which includes an investment of €5 billion ($5.4 billion) in drones through 2030. This strategic focus aims to develop a domestic loitering munitions industry and achieve swarm-flight capability by the end of the decade, with a target for the Army to possess 3,000 tactical drones by 2025. The presentation comes as NATO and European land forces increasingly adapt their tactical formations to incorporate drone systems for real-time surveillance and battlefield threat simulation.