Drones & UAV defence companies in France

Alta Ares builds AI-powered defence autonomy systems, spanning interceptor drones, ISR video intelligence, MLOps tooling and autonomous guidance software for unmanned platforms.

Black Bird

Mid- to long-range fixed-wing interceptor optimized for high-speed, long-distance interception missions, with turbojet propulsion and AI terminal guidance.

X-Lock

Short- to mid-range rotary-wing interceptor designed to track and intercept multiple threats in real time for airspace security in high-risk areas.

Pixel Lock C-UAS

AI-powered counter-UAS system for real-time drone detection, tracking and interception using multi-sensor fusion and GNSS-free autonomous guidance.

Gamma ISR

Offline real-time video intelligence software that turns live feeds into actionable detections for threats such as tanks, IFVs and infantry on drones, cameras and optronics.

Builds fixed-wing surveillance and reconnaissance drones for military, border security and government customers, with production based entirely in France.

DT46

Delair's flagship ISR platform, available as a pure fixed-wing or convertible VTOL configuration. The fixed-wing variant delivers up to 6.5 hours of endurance at 20 kg with a 100 km AES-256 encrypted communications range. In VTOL mode endurance is 3.5 hours at 25 kg. The aircraft converts between configurations in 15 minutes in the field without tools, and has been selected by the French Army artillery and Gendarmerie Nationale.

DT26E

A family of long-endurance mini-UAVs (up to 170 minutes, 15-18 kg) that deploys in under 8 minutes. Three variants are available: Surveillance, with a gyrostabilised EO/IR camera and 30 km data link; Tactical, with a 50 km encrypted link, 30x optical zoom, four-target video tracking and an IMSI/IMEI catcher payload option; and Open Payload, a configurable platform for operator-supplied sensors. The Tactical variant has been combat-proven with French Special Forces and in Ukraine.

Builds autonomous drone interceptors, strike and reconnaissance systems, radar and electronic warfare payloads and the command software that coordinates them.

Gobi

A high-speed interceptor for very short-range air defence against Group 1 and 2 drones. It waits in an always-on state inside its launch box, then validates the engagement, works out the intercept solution and launches within seconds of authorisation. Onboard computer vision refines the impact point during terminal guidance, with no ground link needed. It cruises at 250 km/h, tops out at 350 km/h and strikes with more than 10,300 joules, neutralising a target roughly a minute after launch.

Gobi Tempest

A larger interceptor aimed at Group 2 and 3 aerial threats, carrying a mission-configured payload of up to 800 g for extended reach. It cruises at 215 km/h, reaches 310 km/h and covers 12 km, going from stored to airborne in five seconds. Onboard sensing and guidance refine the terminal engagement geometry without ground support.

Barkhan

An autonomous strike platform that runs its own reconnaissance of the operational area, validates hostile targets and executes the engagement, working alone or in a coordinated swarm. It carries 3 kg over a 20 km range with 25 minutes of flight time, and terminal guidance adjusts the attack geometry in flight against manoeuvring or defended targets. It navigates in GNSS-denied conditions and operates day or night.

Sahara

A synthetic aperture radar payload weighing under 3.5 kg that gives UAS operators imagery in any weather, day or night. It scans wide areas, compares successive radar passes to flag terrain changes, vehicle movement and new infrastructure, then processes the data onboard so operators receive usable intelligence rather than raw radar returns. Resolution reaches 0.25 m at 2 km and 1.2 m at 10 km, drawing under 65 W.

Cavok UAS designs and manufactures professional drone platforms in France, offering configurable systems for long-range surveillance, defence, counter-drone work, maritime missions and logistics.

Builds mass-deployable drone interceptors for counter-UAV and counter-USV missions. Founded in 2025 by former MBDA engineers, raised €8M seed from Eurazeo and Expeditions to develop AI-driven, low-cost effectors priced at a fraction of traditional air defence missiles.

French aerial intelligence startup building an autonomous long-range VTOL drone network for persistent surveillance of borders, critical infrastructure and public-safety missions.

Rift Aerial Intelligence Network

On-demand network of autonomous long-endurance drones, launch stations and remote command infrastructure that gives governments and operators persistent visibility over critical environments without owning and staffing full drone fleets.

Long-Range VTOL UAV

Electric fixed-wing VTOL drone designed for extended aerial intelligence, with official claims of 5 hours endurance and 300 km reach for persistent patrol and live EO/IR streaming.

EOS Technologie designs and manufactures fixed-wing UAVs for ISR and ISTAR missions, including the Strix 500, Veloce 330 and Rodeur 330 drone platforms for armed-forces use.

Designs and manufactures waterproof, inflatable maritime mini-UAVs for ISR and search-and-rescue missions in naval, coastal and high-humidity environments where conventional drones cannot operate.

Builds modular aerial robots around an in-house omnidirectional propulsion system that decouples thrust from orientation, aimed at high-speed drone interception. Raised €5 million in March 2026 to move from prototype to production.

Builds fully automated drone inspection systems for civil and military aircraft, cutting full airframe inspection time to under one hour.

French sovereign drone electronics manufacturer building flight controllers, ESCs, and complete FPV platforms. Products include the Uriel tactical FPV drone at EUR 500 and the SIDE reconnaissance drone, all designed without foreign component dependencies for NATO forces.

Global leading manufacturer of automated tethered drone systems for persistent surveillance and emergency communications, providing continuous aerial presence up to 100m for hours.

Designs and manufactures composite fixed-wing UAVs from 1.5 to 6 metres wingspan using a patented rhomboidal wing. Selected by the DGA in 2025 to develop the R2-600 MALE drone demonstrator for the French armed forces.

Manufacturer of the NX70 micro reconnaissance drone, with over 440 units delivered to the French armed forces. Designs and produces sub-1kg military UAVs with encrypted datalinks at its facility in Aix-en-Provence since 2006.

Parrot designs and manufactures European professional micro-UAVs, including ANAFI platforms used by public safety, government and defence operators.

Builds PHYSIKAL/OS, an agentic vision-language foundation model that lets operators command mixed fleets of ground robots, drones and manipulators in natural language. Founded in 2025 by a former French Army officer and lists the Armée de Terre as a partner.

SEAir Platforms develops crewed and uncrewed foil-equipped maritime platforms for defence and security missions, focused on speed, stability and stealth.

Builds the Versatyl modular professional drone carrying payloads from 1 kg to 35 kg, plus ground control stations and communication relays. Customers include MBDA, Thales, Safran and the French defence procurement agency DGA.

Turgis Gaillard develops defence and aerospace systems including the AAROK MALE drone, mission support capabilities and industrial services for armed forces.

Solar-powered autonomous UAV manufacturer. The SolarXOne flies up to 12 hours carrying 5-8 kg sensor payloads for ISR missions, with near-silent operation below 42 dB and BVLOS range of 80 km. Selected for French Tech 2030 by the Agence de l'Innovation de Défense.