French Navy regains deep-sea capabilities

The French Navy is working to restore its deep-sea operations after losing significant underwater intervention capabilities in the 1970s with the end of the "bathyscaphe group." This effort is driven by increasing concerns about threats to underwater infrastructure and the need for expanded military capabilities in contested environments.

Autonomous drone enhances mapping

As part of its "knowledge" function, the Service hydrographique de la Marine [SHOM] has received the "Narval," an autonomous underwater drone developed by the Norwegian company Kongsberg. Deployed from the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Vessel [BHO] Beautemps-Beaupré, the Narval can stay submerged for 72 hours and collect detailed underwater data.

Submarine aids deep-sea exploration

Since the adoption of the 2024-30 Military Programming Act, the French Navy can use the "Nautile" exploitation submarine, owned by the French Institute for Research and Development of the Sea [IFREMER]. The Nautile can dive to 6,000 meters and is equipped with advanced sensors and manipulator arms for deep-sea exploration and intervention.

New ROV-D developed for deep-sea missions

The French Navy will soon have the ROV-DeepSea [ROV-D], a teleoperated underwater robot developed by the French company LD Travocean. Designed under the France 2030 investment plan, the ROV-D is intended to operate at 6,000 meters of depth and has undergone successful qualification tests in both shallow and deep-sea environments.

ROV-D’s specifications and capabilities

The ROV-D has a mass of 3,600 kg and is equipped with an electric motor, hydraulic systems, and seven thrusters for precise movement. It can carry a payload of 200 kg and is designed to support exploration, surveillance, and intervention in deep marine areas. A second unit will be ordered after the successful tests.