New French Navy OPV to Feature Integrated C-UAS System

In November 2023, Naval Group released a rendering of the new 2,400-ton offshore patrol vessel (OPV) class (7+3 vessels) to be in service by 2035 as part of the “Patrouilleurs Hauturiers” program (formerly known as Patrouilleurs Océaniques) for the French Navy (Marine Nationale). The new ships will replace the venerable D’Estienne d’Orves class (A69) and the Flamant class. The design showcases a kind of integrated round antennas distributed along the ship’s superstructure, with one antenna positioned on each side. Many observers questioned the specific purpose of this suite of antennas. Some days later, more information about the system surface during a French-Greek Security Workshop held in December 2023 in Athens, an event which the author attended following an invitation from GICAN. My story for Naval News, here.