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Mysterious Drones Penetrate Airspace Above France’s Nuclear Sub Fleet—Marines Open Fire
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
French marines opened fire on unidentified drones spotted flying over the Île Longue naval base—the secure Atlantic hub where France houses and services its ballistic missile nuclear submarines, Le Figaro reported on December 5.
According to the report, five drones were detected around 7:30 p.m. on December 4 over the restricted facility bordering the port of Brest in Finistère. The base is the central node of France’s nuclear deterrent, providing maintenance and support for all four French ballistic missile submarines, with at least one always deployed at sea.
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“A counter-drone and search operation was initiated. The marine infantry battalion responsible for securing the base carried out several anti-drone shots,” the publication quoted officials as saying.
French authorities did not comment on the origin of the drones, and neither the maritime prefecture nor the prosecutor’s office responded to AFP inquiries, according to Le Figaro.
Drones repeatedly appearing over sensitive European sites—from power stations to military installations—have become increasingly common in recent months, fueling concerns among European governments that hostile state actors may be probing critical infrastructure.
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Sightings have been recorded near the Île Longue perimeter before, including a November incident involving a drone flying above the Crozon Peninsula without entering the military zone.
The base, protected by 120 maritime gendarmes working alongside French marines, is effectively the sanctuary of France’s nuclear strike capability. Officials noted that visibility conditions were unusually clear at the time of the incident due to a full supermoon.
Earlier, France officially declared its new M51.3 submarine-launched ballistic missile operational, marking the latest upgrade to the country’s strategic nuclear arsenal.
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