France Advances Naval Strike Capabilities With 40-Knot SMOKERS V1 Drone Designed for Serial Production.

France has publicly presented its new SMOKERS V1 naval attack drone for the first time at Euronaval 2026 in Paris, introducing a remotely operated explosive surface vessel developed directly by the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA). Designed in less than six months, the system is intended to provide the French Navy with an affordable maritime strike capability. Its presentation comes as France prepares to transfer the design to industry for serial production.

France's SMOKERS V1 naval attack drone is displayed at the French Navy booth at Euronaval 2026 in Paris.(Picture source: Army Recognition)

Displayed on the DGA stand, SMOKERS represents an unusual approach to developing naval weapons. Instead of commissioning a defense manufacturer to design the system, French government engineers developed the prototype themselves, drawing on an operational requirement identified by the French Navy. The objective is to produce a relatively simple weapon that can be manufactured in quantity, deployed from existing naval vessels and adapted as operational requirements evolve.

In a presentation published on October 29, 2026, the French Ministry of Armed Forces confirmed that SMOKERS had been developed internally by DGA Techniques navales, with support from DGA Techniques hydrodynamiques. The project also received initial backing from the Defence Innovation Agency (AID). Its appearance at Euronaval, held from November 3 to 6, brings the system before the international naval defense industry as France begins preparations for its industrialization.

France Develops a 40-Knot Naval Attack Drone in Six Months

SMOKERS stands for Système Maritime Opérationnel Kamikaze Évolutif en Réalisation Souveraine. The V1 version is a five-meter-long unmanned surface vessel weighing approximately 500 kilograms. Powered by an outboard engine, it can reach a maximum speed of 40 knots and has an operating range exceeding 50 nautical miles, or approximately 93 kilometers.

The drone carries satellite communications equipment, radio-frequency links and an infrared camera. These components allow an operator to maintain control of the vessel and receive live imagery during its mission. Unlike a fully autonomous weapon, SMOKERS retains a human operator in the control loop. Its explosive payload is intended to damage hostile surface vessels, although the DGA has not disclosed its precise weight or destructive characteristics.

The system was developed at Toulon by DGA Techniques navales, which designed its architecture and produced the composite hull. DGA Techniques hydrodynamiques, based at Val-de-Reuil, contributed to hull testing and control of the vessel. This division of work allowed the DGA to develop and evaluate a prototype without waiting for a conventional industrial procurement program.

French Navy Trials SMOKERS From Three Different Warships

SMOKERS has already undergone trials at sea. During the Wildfire exercise conducted off Toulon between September 28 and October 2, 2026, three prototypes were deployed from the amphibious assault ship Tonnerre, the air-defense frigate Chevalier Paul and the fleet replenishment ship Jacques Stosskopf.

These experiments demonstrated the possibility of operating the munition from different categories of French Navy vessels. A live-firing campaign is also planned to evaluate its effects against maritime targets. The results will help establish the weapon's effectiveness during its final approach and identify any modifications required before operational deployment.

The tactical interest lies in combining relatively low-cost expendable platforms with existing naval forces. SMOKERS could be employed against hostile surface vessels in coastal waters, maritime approaches or contested areas where sending a crewed craft would involve greater risks. Several drones approaching from different directions could complicate a warship's defensive response, although coordinated attacks, resistance to electronic warfare and performance against moving targets remain capabilities requiring further operational validation.

France Opens SMOKERS Production to Civilian and Military Shipyards

Beyond its appearance at Euronaval, the next major development concerns industrial production. On October 29, 2026, the DGA published a procurement procedure inviting manufacturers to take over the industrialization of SMOKERS V1. The competition is open to civilian and military shipyards, including smaller companies, rather than being limited to established defense contractors.

The selected manufacturer, expected to be chosen in 2027, will adapt the existing design for production, prepare manufacturing documentation and establish an industrial assembly process. The DGA envisages approximately ten drones annually during peacetime, with the ability to increase production to 50 units per year depending on operational requirements. The procurement procedure has a submission deadline of December 4, 2026.

The future industrial partner could also have opportunities to export the model, subject to French export authorization. This possibility gives the program an additional commercial dimension, particularly as several navies are examining expendable surface drones for offensive missions and maritime defense.

SMOKERS also forms part of France's wider naval drone strategy, which includes endurance surveillance systems and larger autonomous vessels. The DGA intends to launch the first increment of its naval drone program in 2027, followed by additional capabilities in 2028. The development of SMOKERS reflects lessons from the war in Ukraine, where explosive unmanned boats have demonstrated their ability to threaten larger naval platforms. For France and its European partners, the challenge is no longer limited to developing these weapons. Establishing the industrial capacity to produce them rapidly, sustain inventories, and integrate them into existing fleets is becoming a central consideration in preparing for high-intensity maritime warfare.

Written By Erwan Halna du Fretay - Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group
Erwan Halna du Fretay holds a Master’s degree in International Relations and has experience studying conflicts and global arms transfers. His research interests lie in Security and strategic studies, particularly the dynamics of the defense industry, the evolution of military technologies, and the strategic transformation of armed forces.

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