A second autonomous mine countermeasures vessel (MMCM) has been delivered to the French Navy by Thales and partners via OCCAR.
The MMCM project is a joint Franco-British programme managed by joint arms group OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’ARmement, or Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation).
Each Maritime Mine CounterMeasures (MMCM) suite consists of a 12-metre uncrewed surface vessel (USV), a Towed Synthetic Aperture Multiviews (TSAM) sonar, a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), and a portable operations centre (e-POC).
As per a social media post, the Marine Nationale received its second USV, named Rigel, last week; its first, Canopus, had been delivered in December 2024.
As per French procurement agency the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), the new USV is a significant upgrade on the first vessel, enabling deeper operations than before — the system can now detect and neutralise mines up to 200m below the surface — as well as featuring enhanced reliability, easier maintenance, and upgraded sensors and communications equipment.
The DGA statement noted: “These changes are essential to enable the French Navy to continue its ramp-up in anticipation of a first operational capability.”
It added: “It is a major step in the renewal of the French Navy’s mine warfare capability, marking a technological breakthrough in the conduct of operations in this field.”
An OCCAR statement noted: “This delivery reflects the unwavering commitment of all stakeholders and reiterates the continued development of enabling a disruptive concept for detection and destruction in the field of naval mines.
“It also reinforces the strategic partnership between France and the United Kingdom under the Lancaster House Treaties. It highlights the value of joint defence procurement and operational interoperability in highly critical missions such as safeguarding, deterrence, and European maritime interests.
“Congratulations to all stakeholders involved in this achievement. MMCM is today one step closer to delivering the final systems to both nations. We look forward to sharing more updates as the MMCM programme continues to advance in the coming months.”
In France the new autonomous mine capability programme is known under the acronym SLAMF. It seeks to eventually replace all its legacy mine warfare platforms, including itsTripartite-class mine hunters.
The Royal Navy took delivery of its first MMCM suite under the €430 million OCCAR-managed programme in March 2025. The MMCM project forms part of the U.K.’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) Programme also seeking to transition from conventional MCM vessels to autonomous solutions.