The key facts
- Nighttime flights of unidentified drones over military sites near Toulon on October 9–13
- Authorities were unable to locate the aircraft even using electronic warfare means; the number and models are unknown
- The Toulon prosecutor's office is conducting an investigation; the prefecture stated there was no threat to infrastructure
Unidentified drones over military sites in southern France
As reported on Wednesday by the broadcaster ICI Provence, citing maritime authorities, unidentified drones flew in early October over several military sites in southern France, including the Toulon naval base. The nighttime flights took place from October 9 to 13 over the base, the premises of the Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) in Toulon and the 54th Artillery Regiment in nearby Hyères.
The flights were not related to exercises
The maritime prefecture confirmed that the aircraft had nothing to do with the drones involved in the Typhoon exercises, held from October 5 to 16. As part of the exercises, aerial maneuvers were practiced to protect military sites in and around the harbor of Toulon, involving various aircraft, including drones.
The drones could not be located
The exact number and models of the unidentified drones remain unknown. According to the TV channel, the authorities were unable to locate the aircraft despite the use of modern electronic jamming systems. 'There were several of them each time, and they were large aircraft,' a source told ICI Provence.
Investigation and flight ban
Under the direction of the Toulon prosecutor's office, a judicial investigation has been opened to establish who was operating the drones and what the motives for the flights were. Flights in the 'LF-P 62 Toulon' zone are prohibited by decree to protect sensitive military sites; exceptions concern, in particular, emergency services. The maritime prefecture stated that no sensitive infrastructure was under threat.
