France Signs Framework Agreement for VSR700 Naval UAS Programme

In a major step forward for European naval aviation, Sébastien Lecornu, French Minister for the Armed Forces, has signed a framework agreement with Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, and Marie-Laure Bourgeois, Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Naval Group, for the future acquisition of the Systèmes de Drone Aérien pour la Marine (SDAM) – uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) designed specifically for the French Navy.

The agreement also opens the door to future international collaboration through government-to-government arrangements, with other nations invited to participate in the programme via the French Armament General Directorate (DGA).

Each SDAM system will feature the Airbus VSR700 UAS, operated using Naval Group’s Steeris Mission System (MS). Naval Group will oversee the full integration of the SDAM onto French Navy frigates. Developed over 15 years, the Steeris MS is a sea-proven combat system interface designed specifically for integration into naval platforms, enhancing situational awareness and operational capability.

“This framework agreement is a key milestone for the VSR700 programme,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.
“With our partners, we have already demonstrated the VSR700’s capabilities at sea, including successful deployment from a French Navy frigate. This programme is also helping build a sovereign and scalable UAS ecosystem that will serve both domestic and international partners. The VSR700’s versatility is clear—from naval ISR missions to armed scout configurations, as we showcased recently at the Paris Air Show.”

Pierre Eric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group, highlighted the broader strategic importance:

“This signature reflects the close cooperation with our partners and Naval Group’s deep expertise in integrating uncrewed systems aboard surface ships. SDAM will significantly boost the operational capabilities of the French Navy and, potentially, those of our partner navies around the world.”

The serial production VSR700s destined for the French Navy will be equipped for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. This includes integration of a radar, electro-optical system, and an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver. Designed to operate in challenging maritime environments, the VSR700 can autonomously take off and land on ships in rough seas, operate in dense electromagnetic conditions, and support missions exceeding eight hours of endurance—all while carrying up to three onboard sensors.

As the programme moves forward, it represents not only a significant enhancement to French naval capability, but also a clear opportunity for allied nations to adopt a common, interoperable UAS solution tailored to modern maritime defence requirements.