DGA seeks industrial partner for naval drone

The Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) is seeking an industrial partner to move its SMOKERS naval drone from a prototype to mass production. The consultation, labeled 2026SE1014, focuses on adapting the design and creating a production chain that can meet the French Navy's needs.

Production capacity and flexibility

The DGA anticipates producing around ten teleoperated naval munitions annually during peacetime, with the potential to increase this to fifty units per year depending on geopolitical conditions. These figures represent the industrial capacity being sought, not a firm order already placed.

SMOKERS project details

The SMOKERS project was developed and tested in the DGA's technical centers. The government now wants to hand over several key tasks to a company, including adjusting the V1 prototype’s design, creating the manufacturing dossier, installing industrial tooling, and managing configuration changes during production.

Technical specifications of SMOKERS

The SMOKERS device is described as measuring five meters and weighing about 500 kilograms. It is equipped with satellite and radio communication systems, an infrared camera, and has a stated range of more than fifty nautical miles with a maximum speed of forty knots.

Bid submission deadline

Interested companies must submit their bids by December 4, 2026 at noon Paris time through the PLACE public procurement portal. The contract amount and the name of a potential winner are not disclosed in the public notice.

Defense strategy and future phases

This consultation aligns with the Ministry of the Armed Forces’ strategy announced on October 29. The first phase of the “naval drones” program, starting in mid-2027, includes acquiring endurance drones and industrializing the SMOKERS teleoperated munition. A second phase is planned for 2028, focusing on the autonomous surface drone DANAÉ and command systems.

Industrial challenges and growth potential

The procurement dossier highlights a key priority for the defense industry: not only creating high-performance equipment but also ensuring the ability to produce it in large quantities when demand rises. The anticipated production rate, which can increase fivefold, requires early consideration of processes, supply chains, and configuration management.

Selection process and opportunities

The outcome will depend on the selection process and the resulting contractual commitments. For industrialists, the December deadline represents a chance to bid on a specialized naval production project, with the public buyer indicating a clear growth trajectory.