Unknown drones spotted over strategic sites in France

The French Navy has officially confirmed repeated unauthorized flights by large unmanned aerial vehicles near and directly over strategic military facilities in the Toulon area. Source: Le Figaro

The incidents were recorded between October 5 and 16, according to a statement from the Mediterranean Zone Command. The overflights took place during the large-scale joint exercise “Typhon,” which was specifically designed to rehearse comprehensive defense and protection of the country’s key naval base.

According to informed sources in defense circles, the unauthorized overflights were systematic: several large aircraft were detected at a time over restricted areas. The drones circled not only over the naval base in Toulon itself, but also over the headquarters of the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA), as well as the site of the 54th Artillery Regiment in Hyères.

Despite the emergency activation of planned security protocols and the deployment of modern anti-drone systems, including electromagnetic suppression and signal-jamming systems, the French military was unable to intercept the aircraft, identify their exact models, or determine their launch sites and operators.

The French Navy Command is seeking to reassure the public, stressing that no direct threat to critical infrastructure was detected during the incidents. Nevertheless, an official judicial investigation into the breach of the restricted airspace over strategic facilities has already been launched, with the involvement of domestic security forces.

Experts and French lawmakers have expressed extreme concern over what happened, noting that these overflights echo earlier incidents over the sensitive Île Longue nuclear submarine base and Creil Air Base.

Against the backdrop of intensified Russian intelligence activity in Europe, French analysts view these overflights as an element of hybrid reconnaissance or a probe of the air defense systems protecting French military ports.

Recall that French counterintelligence said Russia was preparing new acts of sabotage in EU countries.