The British Royal Navy carried out joint training with the French Navy in the Mediterranean to improve the operation of embarked rotary-wing drones.
The activity brought together soldiers from the 700 Naval Air Squadron at the Base Aéronautique Navale d’Hyères, in the south of France, the main French naval aviation center in the region.
During the exercise, the British operated the Peregrine drone, a military version of the Schiebel S-100 Camcopter, adapted for missions in a naval environment. The model is the British Royal Navy’s first unmanned helicopter and can carry out missions of up to five hours, operating beyond the visual range of the ship or support base.
The system has already been used in real operations in the Gulf, offering continuous surveillance in maritime security missions. According to the British Navy, the use of drones reduces the need for manned helicopters, in addition to generating fuel savings and reducing operational costs.
+Croatia starts protecting its airspace with Rafales within the NATO system
Throughout the training, the British and French exchanged procedures and experiences, as both use the S-100 in similar missions, including from Mistral class ships. Good weather conditions at Hyères also allowed operators to renew their certifications, reinforcing cooperation between the two European navies.
Source: UK Defence Journal | Photo: Royal Navy | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
Royal Navy drone personnel have carried out joint training with their French counterparts in the Mediterranean. pic.twitter.com/W5UVAlOd8l
— International Defence Analysis (@Defence_IDA) January 19, 2026
