The dronization of maritime space at the heart of debates
On June 12 in Toulon, representing Renaud Muselier, François de Canson, vice-president in charge of economic development, attractiveness, tourism and…
This event has now established itself as a national highlight for strategic reflection on the naval defense sector, at a time when the sea is once again becoming an area of tension, projection, but also innovation and sovereignty. Toulon, the flagship city, is the maritime capital of France. Its territory is not only that of the Marine nationale.
It is also a unique ecosystem in Europe for maritime defense, bringing together key figures from the naval defense sector. In short, the ideal city to discuss strategic issues and technological innovations (embedded robotics, cognitive warfare, cybersecurity, and strategic data) against a backdrop of growing maritime tensions.
NAVAL GROUP IN LA LONDE "It is therefore no coincidence that this day is taking place here, with a particular focus on the dronization of maritime space. Drones are no longer simply a technological addition. They are essential for operational superiority.
They enable long-term surveillance, stealth reconnaissance, defensive saturation, targeted intervention, and distributed deterrence. Failing to master this technology means condemning oneself to suffer," emphasized François de Canson, vice-president of the Région.
Since 2019, the Région Sud has structured an integrated Air-Land-Sea drone sector, based on a dense industrial fabric, three competitiveness clusters (SAFE, Mer Méditerranée, Aktantis) and a logic of real-world testing. Thus, Naval Group is developing its drone program in La Londe-les-Maures. Indeed, the future of the former Naval Group site, abandoned in 1993, is taking shape.
Since last May, the 3,000-page environmental file for the reindustrialization project has been scrutinized by the regional environmental authorization mission. If approval is granted, and following a public inquiry, work is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with occupancy effective by late 2027. In addition, IFREMER is structuring a deep-sea center of excellence and a Drone-IA industrial chair.
PLAN SUD DÉFENSE "With an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Plan endowed with €70 million, the Région wants to become the leading European region for embedded artificial intelligence. Cybersecurity is also a priority area, with initiatives such as the CSIRT regional Urgence Cyber center and projects like Move2Digital. In June, the Région voted on a Plan Sud Défense, anchoring the long-term strategy for supporting the industrial and technological defense base.
This plan strengthens dual projects, critical sectors, talent, and cooperation. We do not want to follow this transformation: we want to precede it," confirmed François de Canson.
Sovereignty is demonstrated, defense is built, and the sea is dominated through the precision of sensors, the speed of transmissions, and embedded intelligence. "And this is also consistent with what we defended before the world, a few days ago, in Nice, during the UNOC, the major Conférence des Nations Unies sur l'Océan. There, we asserted a simple thing: there can be no blue transition without maritime security.
There can be no sustainable maritime economy without technological sovereignty over the seabed, cables, flows, and data. Protecting the sea is not an ecological luxury. It is a geopolitical, economic, and military imperative.
And it is here that this new balance is being built. And there can be no maritime security without a long-term strategic vision for the Méditerranée," concluded the mayor of La Londe-les-Maures.
• Photos Philippe OLIVIER In the presence of: VAE Christophe LUCAS, préfet Maritime pour la Méditerranée, Hervé STASSINOS, vice-president in charge of the economic development of TPM and regional councillor, Laurent MOSER, president of the Pôle Mer Méditerranée, IGA Olivier LECOINTE (Direction Générale de l'Armement) in charge of industrial guidelines within the Service Intelligence Économique et Affaires Industrielles.
Photos Philippe OLIVIER.