Video: French Navy Tests Explosive Drone On Decommissioned Cargo Vessel

The French Navy carried out a live-fire test using an explosive drone boat on April 26 off the coast of Toulon.

A modified jet ski packed with explosives was used as a one-way attack unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and launched from a French offshore patrol ship to strike a retired cargo barge.

The test aimed to study the impact of such remotely operated explosive systems and their possible use in future naval operations.

According to the French Armed Forces Ministry, the experiment helped confirm the Navy’s ability to operate remote-controlled naval munitions from sea.

The ministry explained that these types of exercises have become more necessary due to the growing instability in international security.

The decommissioned cargo barge, previously used to transport goods, was cleaned of all fuels and fluids. Metal reinforcements and tires were added around the hull to improve the effectiveness of the blast while trying to prevent the vessel from sinking.

#Expérimentation |3️⃣,2️⃣,1️⃣:💥Impact ! Nouvelle expérimentation: un jetski dronisé porteur d’une charge explosive offensive a détoné contre la coque d’un CTM 🚢🎯Démontrer l’acquisition de nouveaux savoir-faire en combat naval, dont l’emploi de munitions navales téléopérées. pic.twitter.com/Q8iMFDc0dq

— Marine nationale (@MarineNationale) April 29, 2025

However, video footage released by the French Navy on the social media platform X appeared to show that the drone may have missed the reinforced section of the hull during impact.

The explosive drone travelled at high speed and directly targeted the barge, with the entire sequence captured using several cameras and sensors.

The footage showed the moment of the explosion, providing the Navy with data on how the weapon performed. The launch platform was a French Navy offshore patrol vessel.

This test is the latest in a series of sea trials conducted under the Navy’s “Polaris” initiative, which began in 2021.

The Polaris approach focuses on conducting training and innovation testing under conditions that closely resemble real operations. The goal is to better prepare French forces for high-intensity combat environments.

In earlier Polaris tests, the French Navy carried out several exercises. In December 2024, a French nuclear-powered attack submarine launched an F21 heavy torpedo at the retired naval vessel Premier-Maître L’Her.

The torpedo broke the hull and sank the 80-meter ship.

In February this year, a naval mine was detonated near the Lafayette-class frigate Courbet during a live shock test while it was sailing with crew onboard.

In March, the Navy tested both offensive and defensive drones during a large-scale amphibious operation, evaluating how such systems can be used in future missions.

Military experts have pointed out that drone technology is becoming a major factor in modern naval warfare.

Ukraine has used explosive sea drones effectively in the Black Sea to target Russian warships and disrupt operations at ports.

Videos from Yemen have also shown Houthi forces launching unmanned boat attacks on oil tankers and bulk carriers in the Red Sea.

Meanwhile, other countries, including the United States, are also testing similar technologies. A U.S. defense company based in Florida revealed a one-way attack naval drone for the U.S. Navy last year.

Reference: defensenews

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