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France Successfully Tests Suicide Naval Drone Inspired by Ukraine’s MAGURA V5
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
France has successfully tested a suicide naval drone, inspired by Ukrainian MAGURA V5 drones, striking a decommissioned barge off the coast of Toulon in a live-fire experiment that underscores the growing interest in unmanned maritime warfare, Chief of the French Navy Admiral Nicolas Vaujour reported on April 29.
The test, part of the French Navy’s POLARIS initiative to prepare for high-intensity conflict, involved a modified jet ski-turned-drone targeting a retired Chaland de Transport de Matériel (CTM) landing vessel. The hull was reinforced with metal plating and surrounded by tires to prevent it from sinking during the test.
“The experiment, which took place against the backdrop of an increasingly unstable international environment, is one of the latest trials conducted by the French Navy to improve crew and ship readiness for high-intensity combat,” said Admiral Nicolas Vaujour, Chief of the French Navy, in a statement on April 26.
Video from the event shows the drone striking the ship, though it slightly missed the reinforced impact zone, suggesting issues with guidance precision still need to be addressed.
Marine redoutée. La Marine protège la liberté de navigation en mer Rouge contre toutes les menaces, dont les drones. La Marine teste aussi ses propres drones d’attaque et munitions télé-opérées pour augmenter sa létalité. pic.twitter.com/4MgQdfaVyx
— Chef d'état-major de la Marine (@CEMM_FR) April 29, 2025
“The results and analysis from the April 26 experiment will help us improve remote-controlled sea-borne munitions, both in terms of deployment and targeting, as well as explosive payloads,” said the French Navy press service.
The prototype drone, while unnamed, bears a striking resemblance in both concept and design to Ukraine’s MAGURA V5 sea drone, which has been effectively used against Russian warships in the Black Sea.
The French Navy has recently ramped up its focus on unmanned systems, drawing clear lessons from the war in Ukraine. In a previous exercise, the Navy simulated a multi-drone assault, even chaining a Jaguar vehicle to the deck to reduce costs during testing.
Meanwhile, French Naval Group subsidiary Sirehna is already trialing a more advanced 10-meter multi-role drone known as Seaquest S. Designed for missions lasting up to 24 hours, the Seaquest can be configured for reconnaissance, electronic warfare, anti-submarine operations, and even direct attacks on enemy ships.
Earlier, reports emerged that French defense manufacturer KNDS was sending 90% of its Caesar howitzer barrels to Ukraine.
This highlights France’s growing role in supporting Ukraine’s artillery forces amid Russia’s full-scale war.
The production of Caesar self-propelled howitzers—mounted on wheeled chassis—has also ramped up significantly.
-21d0b63c17f6020e4df75f6c6f9a2f4f.jpg "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
