Suspicious drones over French military sites prompt judicial investigation

Suspicious drones have been spotted flying over military facilities in southeastern France. A judicial investigation has been opened after unauthorised drones were detected above military sites, including a naval base, during a large-scale armed forces exercise, the French navy said on Wednesday.

In its statement, the navy said that during the armed forces exercise held from 5 to 16 October, unauthorised drones were detected in the no-fly zone near and above military sites. In each instance, the planned security measures were activated, with anti-drone devices deployed in coordination with domestic security forces.

The sightings centred on military areas around the town of Toulon. The southeastern town is home to one of France's largest naval bases, which hosts the country's aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle as well as attack submarines — which is why drones over this base have drawn particular attention in security circles.

According to local broadcaster Ici Provence, the drones flew at night above the naval base, the General Directorate of Armaments (DGA) facility in Toulon, and the 54th Artillery Regiment in Hyères.

Notably, the military exercise, dubbed Typhon, was precisely aimed at training against drone sightings. With real unauthorised drones appearing while the exercise was under way, security forces had to put their planned response into practice for real.

The navy said no sensitive infrastructure was threatened. The Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs reminded the public that unauthorised drone flights near or over military facilities are strictly prohibited.

France is not alone: suspicious drones are increasingly being spotted in several European countries, including Denmark and Germany, close to military sites and defence industry facilities. In July, a Moldovan man was arrested on suspicion of espionage after flying an unmanned aerial vehicle over a KNDS factory in Munich.

Some of these drone incursions are attributed to Russia, as Moscow intensifies its hybrid attacks against European countries. Who was behind the Toulon incidents is not yet known; the judicial investigation will examine the matter.

The repeated drone sightings have renewed debate across Europe over protecting the airspace above military bases and critical infrastructure, with growing pressure on defence authorities to strengthen anti-drone technology and surveillance.