Air Force seeks drone squadrons for deep strikes

General Jérôme Bellanger, Chief of the Air and Space Staff, has proposed the creation of drone squadrons capable of bombing and combat operations. These drones would support existing fighter jets like the Rafale F5 by conducting deep strikes and overwhelming enemy defenses.

Industry already working on drone capabilities

Bellanger mentioned that the industry is already engaged in developing these capabilities. Projects like the Chorus program, managed by Turgis Gaillard and Renault, and solutions from MBDA are already in progress, indicating a strong industrial commitment to the initiative.

First bombing drones to arrive in 2027

Six months after the approval of the updated Military Programming Law 2024-30, the first drone squadron with bombing capabilities will be established. The Air and Space Force is expected to receive its first long-range One Way Effector 'DÉLUGE' munitions from MBDA in the summer of 2027.

DÉLUGE munitions specifications

The MTO "DÉLUGE," unveiled at the 2025 Paris Air Show, is a turbojet-powered weapon capable of carrying a 50 kg military payload. It can fly at approximately 400 km/h and has an autonomy of up to 500 km, making it suitable for long-range strikes.

Mass production challenge for MBDA

MBDA faces the challenge of producing the DÉLUGE in very large quantities. The goal is to achieve a balance between performance, mass, and cost, ensuring the munition is both effective and affordable for widespread use.

Drones to pressure enemy defenses

The One Way Effector will be launched in salvo formations, carrying significant military payloads. This approach is expected to constantly pressure enemy air defenses, forcing them to reveal their positions and enabling their neutralization alongside other long-range strike systems.

Government supports drone development

The Ministry of the Armed Forces announced in January that it had placed an initial order with MBDA and Aviation Design for this type of MTO. This order is based on the "Aerial Drones Pact," signed in 2024, which aligns military needs with industrial capabilities.

Air-launched ballistic missiles under consideration

In addition to drones, Bellanger emphasized the need to develop air-launched ballistic missiles. These would allow the Air Force to strike thousands of kilometers into enemy territory, leveraging the range of its combat aircraft for deep-strike capabilities.

Drone interceptors key to combat drones

The creation of a drone squadron with a "combat" mission, such as intercepting enemy aircraft, depends on ongoing experiments with drone interceptors. These tests are crucial to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of such a unit.