French Army to equip SCORPION armoured vehicles with ULYSSE active protection suite
The French Army will fit its SCORPION programme vehicles with the ULYSSE active protection system ahead of the larger Prometeus programme, according to Opex360. ULYSSE integrates with the existing Thales Antares optronic suite and adds threat warning and countermeasure capabilities. SCORPION includes the Griffon APC, Jaguar armoured reconnaissance vehicle and Serval light multirole vehicle.
Jeumont Electric to supply three complete electric propulsion systems for Poland's A26 submarines under Orka programme
French firm Jeumont Electric will deliver three low-signature electric propulsion systems for the Polish Navy's A26 submarines under the Orka programme. The systems are designed to minimize acoustic and electromagnetic signatures.
France orders several hundred more MX-10 DAMOCLES kamikaze drones, Luxembourg signs first export deal worth €1.6 million
France has activated an optional tranche of its MX-10 DAMOCLES contract with KNDS France and Delair, ordering several hundred additional quadcopter loitering munitions. Luxembourg became the first export customer, signing a contract worth just over €1.6 million for an initial capability.
French Air Force chief warns 184 combat aircraft insufficient, fleet operating 15% above planned capacity
France has 184 combat aircraft and the Air and Space Force is already operating beyond planned capacity, General Jérôme Bellanger told a parliamentary hearing. He warned the current fleet is insufficient to maintain nuclear deterrence, protect national airspace and prepare for high-intensity warfare. French fighter aircraft are being used more than 15% above planned operational levels.
Why it matters: France is running its fighter fleet at 115% tempo while planning to give Rafales to Ukraine — a combination that does not add up without new airframes or a smaller mission set.
Thales Australia develops BladeHAUL autonomous big-rig truck for battlefield logistics
Thales Australia is working on autonomy features for a new heavy cargo robot called BladeHAUL, capable of carrying a 20-foot container or serving as a large mobile battery in the field, Defense News reports. The vehicle is based on a commercial big-rig platform and is intended to reduce the need for human drivers in contested logistics zones. Thales has not disclosed a customer or fielding timeline.
Why it matters: A 20-foot container holds 20 tonnes — autonomous logistics at that scale removes the single biggest manpower constraint in expeditionary operations.