France DANAE program to field armed USVs for base defense and escort by 2027

The French Navy’s DANAE acceleration project is selecting and trialing armed/unarmed unmanned surface vessels (including optionally-manned RHIB conversions) for harbor protection first with non-lethal effectors, then escort/protection missions with lethal remote weapon systems. The novelty is the structured, near-term procurement pathway plus emphasis on autonomous navigation, threat detection/classification, and man-in-the-loop neutralization at close range, aiming for initial deliveries by late 2027.