Key facts
- Unauthorized drones were detected near and above military sites during a French armed forces exercise.
- The drones were spotted during a large-scale exercise that lasted from Oct. 5 to Oct. 16.
- A judicial investigation has been opened into the drone incursions.
Suspicious drones were detected flying over military facilities in southeastern France during a large-scale armed forces exercise that took place from Oct. 5 to Oct. 16, the French navy announced on Wednesday. The navy stated that unauthorized drones were detected in no-fly zones near and above military sites. Security measures were activated, and anti-drone devices were deployed in coordination with domestic security forces. A judicial investigation has been opened into the incidents. Local broadcaster Ici Provence reported that the drones flew at night above the naval base in Toulon, the General Directorate of Armaments facility, and the 54th Artillery Regiment in Hyères. The military exercise, named Typhon, was designed to train against drone sightings, and the navy confirmed that no sensitive infrastructure was threatened. The Ministry of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs reiterated that unauthorized drone flights near or over military facilities are strictly prohibited.