Navy tests layered defenses against drones at sea

Drones have moved from novelty gadgets to serious threats that can disrupt ships, sensors, and operations. On the Lorraine, sailors are training in counter-drone warfare, blending old-school gunnery with cutting-edge electronic measures. The crew runs drills to detect, track, and engage aerial and surface drones, singly or in clusters, while testing new tools intended to blunt their impact. Their mission is practical: make the ship more resilient in a world where unmanned systems can complicate a voyage or a combat scenario.

At the rear helicopter deck, a container bristles with antennas, radars, and optics. It functions as a mobile lab for testing the latest jamming and detection gear. Industry reps and France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) observers watch as the crew experiments with a firing-assist system on the Narwhal 20-mm cannons and remote targeting from the bridge. The aim is not only to shoot down drones but to increase the probability of a first-shot hit while keeping costs in check. This is a practical exercise in counter-drone warfare, illustrating how speed and accuracy can tilt a confrontation in a ship’s favor.

“There are two paths to neutralise drones,” said an artillery officer on board. “The old way, labour- and ammunition-intensive, and a refined, first-shot approach that targets the threat area.” The Lorraine is pursuing a hybrid strategy that blends kinetic and non-kinetic options. More machine guns have been installed at the stern, and tests of twin-barrel systems promise higher firing rates and smarter aiming aids. In parallel, electronic warfare and jamming offer a way to suppress threats at range, potentially avoiding the cost of firing expensive missiles in the bow. This dual-path approach is a hallmark of modern naval thinking, where speed and adaptability often trump raw firepower alone.

According to The Local France, AFP, the exercise also shows how electronic warfare and jamming help limit engagement to shorter ranges, reducing exposure and preserving scarce munitions. The container-based lab on the ship’s platform serves as a focal point for researchers to integrate new optronics and to test reliability under realistic conditions. The broader aim is simple: build resilience against a threat that is agile, inexpensive, and proliferating across theaters from Ukraine to the Red Sea. This approach exemplifies how counter-drone warfare is evolving from a niche capability into a core component of naval defense.

For defense planners, the message is clear. The era of a single, long-range stand-off weapon is giving way to layered, multi-vector defense that can respond quickly, adapt, and scale with a drone swarm. In practice, that means a mix of sensors, short-range guns, and electronic countermeasures that can be deployed with minimal lead time. France is not alone; similar programs are moving through NATO navies, as the industry shifts toward modular, containerized kits that can retrofit onto various platforms with speed. The Lorraine exercise—conducted with industry partners and state labs—offers a blueprint for what comes next: rapid prototyping, field testing, and iterative upgrades rather than waiting for a perfect system.

Dual-path defense: guns and jammers

The test programme highlights two concurrent tracks. First, traditional gun defenses such as the Narwhal 20-mm cannons are being enhanced with automation and targeting aids to boost hit probability. Second, electronic warfare and jamming gear are designed to disrupt drones at range or blind their sensors, offering a non-kinetic option that can suppress dozens of small aerial threats in a single pass. This mirrors a broader shift in military doctrine: win through speed, flexibility, and layered defense rather than relying on a single killer system.

Implications for industry and policy

For the drone industry, this signals growing demand for affordable, scalable counter-drone solutions. Startups and incumbents alike are racing to deliver modular, containerized kits that can retrofit onto ships, offshore platforms, and land bases. Regulators in Europe, the United States, and elsewhere are watching how such systems operate in contested airspaces, balancing safety with the need for rapid countermeasures. The French programme also offers a template for public-private collaboration, combining shipboard testing with industry demonstrations on land and at sea. This ecosystem approach is likely to accelerate adaptation across other services and allies.

Conclusion

The French navy’s Lorraine drills reveal a pragmatic path forward: blend traditional and modern tools, move quickly, and build resilience against a growing drone threat. As tensions rise in Europe and beyond, navies that can jam, shoot, and sense with equal acuity will define the next era of maritime security.