Paris, France – On June 17, 2025, Sébastien Lecornu, the French Minister for the Armed Forces, signed a framework agreement with Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, and Marie-Laure Bourgeois, Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing of Naval Group. This agreement is aimed at acquiring the Systèmes de Drone Aérien pour la Marine (SDAM), which are uncrewed aerial systems intended for the Navy. The deal also opens opportunities for collaboration with other nations through government-to-government agreements.
The SDAMs will incorporate Airbus VSR700 uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) operated using Naval Group’s Steeris Mission System. Naval Group is tasked with integrating these systems onto French Navy frigates. The Steeris MS has been developed over 15 years and is designed for naval combat system integration.
“This framework agreement is a key milestone for the VSR700 programme,” stated Bruno Even. “With our partners we have demonstrated the VSR700’s capabilities at sea with multiple demonstrations including one on board a French Navy frigate,” he added. He further explained that this program aims to build a local and sovereign UAS ecosystem benefiting both home nations and global partners. “VSR700 is a truly versatile system that could be used in many different environments as evidenced by the armed scout version on display at the Paris Air Show.”
Pierre Eric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group, commented: “This signature is a testimony to the teamwork achieved with our partners and to Naval Group’s expertise in integrating all types of drones on board surface ships to improve the operational capabilities of our client navies.”
The agreement sets up potential inclusion of more partner nations into the program. Nations worldwide have been invited by the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) to join through government contracts similar to those selected by DGA for the French Navy.
The VSR700 units destined for delivery to the French Navy will be equipped for surveillance and intelligence missions akin to prototypes tested previously. These configurations include radar, an electro-optical system, and an Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver. The VSR700 can take off and land automatically from navy vessels under rough sea conditions while carrying three sensors and maintaining flight durations exceeding eight hours.
