Naval News – Speaking from the Île Longue ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) base in Brittany, French president Emmanuel Macron revealed that the first of the next generation SSBNs will be known as “Invincible”. The announcement came as part of a highly anticipated address during which the head of state outlined new parameters for the French nuclear deterrence in response to the evolving strategic context.

USNI News – The French Navy will send eight frigates and two amphibious assault ships to the Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea, joining aircraft carrier FS Charles De Gaulle (R91), following an Iranian drone attack on a Cyprus-based joint operating installation.

Naval News – In a high profile naval diplomacy push by France, the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle arrived in Malmö, Sweden on February 24.

Naval News – French Navy Mistral-class LHD Dixmude and La Fayette-class frigate Aconit set sails on 17 February 2026 for the Indo-Pacific and will transit via the Red Sea as part of the “JEANNE D’ARC 2026” mission. Nearly 800 personnel are taking part in the deployment, including 162 officer cadets.

Defense News – The French Navy is toughening crew drills to better prepare sailors for the stress of coming under fire, following deployments to the Red Sea where Houthi rebels targeted Western warships and commercial traffic with drones and ballistic missiles.

Breaking Defense – France and its allies need to consider the reality that high-intensity conflict is likely in the near future, top officials said this week.

Defence Blog – France’s defense procurement agency ordered a VTOL version of Airbus’ Aliaca uncrewed aerial system, with deliveries to the French Navy set to begin in May 2026 after qualification. The Aliaca VTOL will expand ship-based surveillance and maritime security missions by removing the need for launch-and-recovery equipment while retaining existing sensors and ground stations.

(Thanks to Alain)

Naval News – The French Navy (Marine Nationale) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) set sail on 27 January to take part in the exercise ORION 26. ORION 26 is a joint and combined high intensity warfare exercise set to take place in the Atlantic.

Naval News – On January 22nd, the French Navy launched an operation in the Alboran Sea within the Western Mediterranean Ocean, resulting in the successful seizure of the tanker designated, “Grinch”. The Grinch is tied to Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil ships, helping the Russian Federation to dodge sanctions.

Naval News – In early November, the French Navy’s Modernised Tripartite/Éridan-class minehunter arrived in the Baltic region for a two-month deployment, joining NATO Allied Maritime Command’s (MARCOM’s) Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 1 (SNMCMG1). The group is MARCOM’s Northern European-focused mine countermeasures (MCM) force. Since Sagittaire arrived, SNMCMG1 has participated in the Finnish Navy-led, multinational ‘Freezing Winds’ exercise.

Navy Lookout – France’s Frégate de Défense et d’Intervention (FDI) represents a deliberate attempt to concentrate a balanced mix of air defence, anti-submarine and digital resilience capability into a compact but high-end frigate. Here, we look at the development and construction of this combatant and consider the merits of its design philosophy.

Defense News – France introduced a modernized version of its M51 submarine-launched strategic ballistic missile, a “major milestone” in the modernization of the country’s ocean-based nuclear deterrent, the Armed Forces Ministry said on Tuesday.

USNI News – The following is the English translation of France’s 2025 Indo-Pacific Strategy that was released this week.

Naval News – At a private event focusing on France’s strategy in the Indo-Pacific, senior officers from the French Navy, including an Admiral, shared some details about Clemenceau 25 revealing behind-the-scenes details of a particularly intense deployment in terms of operations, diplomacy and technology. The latter enabled the full capabilities of the French carrier strike group (CSG) to be deployed and major technological firsts to be conducted.

Naval News – The French ministry of the armed forces last week released France’s first ever “defense strategy for the Arctic”. The move comes as the Arctic is rapidly emerging as a global critical geopolitical flashpoint.

Naval News – The French Navy’s (Marine Nationale) third Suffren-class nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) Tourville (S637) entered “active duty” (admission au service actif in French) on July 4th, 2025.

The War Zone – France is interested in first procuring a stealthy flying-wing UCAV to fight alongside its Rafales, then getting fighter-like collaborative drones.

CIMSEC – France’s resident sovereignty and associated EEZ give France a continuing anchor in the Indo-Pacific, and interests to maintain, that other European actors do not have.

Naval News – In a recent press conference held at the French ministry of Armed Forces, Rear Admiral Cédric Chetaille – the French Navy’s deputy chief for operations, and director of seabed capability development – revealed that France’s seabed warfare strategy includes offensive means, in addition to defense ones.

War on the Rocks – Why is France interested in the Indo-Pacific? First of all, the Indo-Pacific is also France’s home. And second, France has a vested interest in the region’s security as a whole.

USNI News – The French Carrier Strike Group has completed its first deployment in the Pacific and deepened ties with U.S. and Japanese forces.

USNI News – Aircraft carrier FS Charles De Gaulle (R91) made a port visit to the Philippines on Friday and Saturday after conducting drills in the South China Sea with the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Defense News – France’s Naval Group has criticized Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems for hurting European submarine vendors by transferring technology to countries that later managed to build their own boats for export.

Naval News – The French Navy’s first Falcon 2000LXS Albatros maritime surveillance aircraft performed its maiden flight. Designed to replace aging Falcon 50s and Guardians as part of the AVSIMAR program, the new aircraft made its maiden flight in Bordeaux on January 24.