La Francia si ritirerà dal programma Eurodrone (Airbus, Dassault, Leonardo)

>This drone program was conducted in cooperation with Germany, Spain, and Italy.

>In the midst of uncertainty surrounding the FCAS (Future Combat Air System) program, France is also facing a problem with another program. Faced with delays, cost overruns, and poor performance, it has decided to withdraw from the European Eurodrone program, for which Airbus is the prime contractor, supported by Italy’s Leonardo and France’s Dassault Aviation, even though the new Minister of the Armed Forces has not yet officially notified them of the decision. Airbus employees have been febrile about this program, particularly since September. This partnership, conducted in cooperation with Germany, Spain, and Italy, was launched in 2015 to meet operational needs for surveillance and reconnaissance drones. Unfortunately, it apparently outgrew the manufacturer’s capabilities, and its schedule has exploded. It is four years behind schedule compared to the initial schedule. And entry into service is no longer expected before 2030 at best.

>Despite its withdrawal from Eurodrone, France still reserves the right to purchase systems from this program. However, it has decided to consolidate its Reaper drone sector, which is American, and to give a chance to SMEs and mid-cap companies involved in an alternative, more robust drone program. This choice may seem paradoxical, given that France had decided several years ago to no longer use American equipment. Not only are they expensive to acquire and maintain, but they also create a US technical and operational influence over the French armed forces. It is for this reason of sovereignty that France withdrew its E-3F AWACS radar aircraft and C-130H cargo planes from service, as revealed by L’Informé.

>However, the Reaper has no equivalent, and its designer, the American company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), has significantly expanded its range. Offering additional sensors and weapons, greater endurance (30 hours instead of 24), and soon, self-protection against missile strikes, the ability to operate from an aircraft carrier or aircraft carrier, the Californian company is constantly innovating. It is notably developing air-maritime applications with the Sky Guardian version, which is far superior to what the Eurodrone can offer, according to GA-ASI’s representative in France, Christophe Fontaine. This former “intelligence officer” of the Air and Space Force, who notably commanded the Reaper drone squadron in Cognac, told to L’Informé that the Eurodrone will “never” offer the announced performance, leaving the field open to drones of the Reaper family with which almost all the major countries of Western Europe are equipped.

>The failure of Eurodrone is far from the first of the half-dozen drone programs in which France is involved. Almost all of the Light Tactical Drone Systems (SDTL) have experienced one or more problems during their first flights. While Safran’s Tactical Drone System (SDT), Thales’ Maritime Mine Counter Measures (MMCM) and Intelligence Mini-Drone System (MDR) have all gone from Charybdis to Scylla. Capa-X, Flexrotor, and VSR700, however, seem to offer better prospects for Airbus. What France has contributed to the Eurodrone program, however, can be reused in alternative, more robust drone programs. The office of the Minister of the Armed Forces had not responded to our questions prior to publication.

There are [confusing ](https://www.opex360.com/2025/10/17/la-france-ne-va-pas-renoncer-au-programme-de-drone-male-europeen-qui-vient-de-franchir-une-etape-clef/)informations about France staying but it does looks like this program is over for France

>However, the Reaper has no equivalent, and its designer, the American company General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), has significantly expanded its range. Offering additional sensors and weapons, greater endurance (30 hours instead of 24), and soon, self-protection against missile strikes, the ability to operate from an aircraft carrier or aircraft carrier, the Californian company is constantly innovating. It is notably developing air-maritime applications with the Sky Guardian version, which is far superior to what the Eurodrone can offer, according to GA-ASI’s representative in France, Christophe Fontaine. This former “intelligence officer” of the Air and Space Force, who notably commanded the Reaper drone squadron in Cognac, believes to L’Informé that the Eurodrone will “never” offer the announced performance, leaving the field open to drones of the Reaper family with which almost all the major countries of Western Europe are equipped.

That is quite something for France to still prefer a non sovereign stuff despite having a sovereign one and praising that material, i guess eurodrone on PANG were not happening anyway.

Otherwise i don’t think it is clearly explained in this article but France will continue develloping AAROK and Enbata (which has already orders in the middle east) to have cheap male drones.

The Eurodrone program is included in the French 2026 budget proposal so it seems there are contradicting information here, though France, and the other participating countries, should get out of this program.

OMG stop naming everything EURO-something