France orders A6K-M deep-sea drones for seabed monitoring

The French company Exail will supply the French Navy with new A6K autonomous deep-sea drones.

Here's What We Know

Representatives of the company said that their underwater vehicles can operate at a depth of up to 6,000 metres.

Control over the seabed, as outlined in the France 2030 long-term plan, has become an important strategic objective for French defence. In particular, it is necessary to ensure the country's sovereignty and freedom of action, as well as to protect its strategic and economic interests.

The Deep Sea Warfare Strategy, adopted by the French Ministry of Defence in 2022, envisages expanding the fleet's capabilities by purchasing various types of deep-sea drones.

These vehicles must be able not only to monitor the situation but also to perform various tasks using payloads, including manipulators.

Exail has been selected to supply the A6K-M deep-sea drone, which is based on the Ulyx architecture developed in collaboration with the French National Institute of Oceanology and Technology.

The Ulyx-based vehicle made its first dive to a depth of 6,000 metres in autumn 2023. Thanks to its modular platform, it can be quickly adapted to the specific tasks of the French Navy.

The new drone is expected to carry out reconnaissance and surveillance missions near the seabed, as well as monitor the condition of important underwater infrastructure.

Source: Exail