The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) has awarded Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group a contract for the production of six VSR700 uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) which will enter service with the French Navy from 2028.

Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, said: “We are honored that the French Ministry for the Armed Forces is moving to serial production of the VSR700 for France and future export customers. Our teams are focused on delivering a reliable high-performance capability that enhances naval sovereignty and mission success.” He added that a new industrial setup has been established to ensure efficient serial production while maintaining the highest aeronautical safety and performance standards.

The VSR700 will operate in an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) role equipped with a surveillance radar, electro-optical system and AIS (Automatic Identification System) receiver. Naval Group will integrate the system into ship architecture and connect it to combat systems via the Steeris® Mission System.

Based on the crewed Cabri G2 from Hélicoptères Guimbal, the VSR700 was developed under the French Navy’s SDAM programme. Extensively tested over land and at sea, it complements crewed helicopters, extending intelligence gathering and surveillance capabilities.

While the French Navy will use the VSR700 primarily for ISR, it is a versatile multirole platform capable of maritime and land missions including logistics, armed scouting, disaster relief and firefighting. Airbus has also demonstrated its ability to operate alongside crewed helicopters using the HTeaming solution.