The Royal Navy conducted joint training with the French Navy in the Mediterranean to enhance the operation of rotary-winged, shipborne drones.
The activity brought together personnel from the 700 Naval Air Squadron at the Base Aéronautique Navale d’Hyères in southern France, the main French naval aviation hub in the region.
During the exercise, the British operated the Peregrine drone, a military version of the Schiebel S-100 Camcopter, adapted for naval environment missions. The model is the Royal Navy’s first unmanned helicopter and can perform missions lasting up to five hours, operating beyond the visual range of the ship or support base.
The system has already been used in real-world operations in the Gulf, providing continuous surveillance for maritime security missions. According to the Royal Navy, the use of the drone reduces the need for manned helicopters, while also providing fuel savings and lowering operational costs.
Throughout the training, British and French personnel exchanged procedures and experiences, as both use the S-100 for similar missions, including from Mistral-class ships. The good weather conditions in Hyères also allowed operators to renew their certifications, strengthening the 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
