French Army builds drone-contact units around FPV drones, with Fronde and Pendragon projects

France’s Ministry of the Armed Forces has detailed how the French Army is building small units around first-person-view (FPV) drones, presenting the effort in its “Journal de la Défense” (JDEF) video programme on 12 October 2026 under the title “Des drones au contact”, or “Drones in contact”.

According to the ministry, FPV drones are being treated as combat weapons rather than toys. The operator flies the aircraft through an immersive view, streamed to an augmented-reality headset, which allows soldiers to observe and strike targets while limiting their own exposure.

Drone units at regimental level

The ministry says the 1st Marine Infantry Regiment (1er RIMa) has begun setting up “drone contact” units. In each of them a single tactical commander is responsible for a squadron that combines reconnaissance and surveillance drone systems with FPV drones used for strikes.

The report stresses that much of this innovation starts with the troops themselves. Units buy, test and modify equipment on their own initiative, and what works is then produced in larger numbers. Brigadier General Coquet, director of the Army’s technical section, describes the practice by saying that “énormément de régiments expérimentent à leur niveau”, or that a great many regiments are experimenting at their own level.

Fronde and Pendragon

One example given is “Fronde”, an immersive-piloting munition developed by non-commissioned officers of the 1st Parachute Hussar Regiment (1er RHP). The ministry says it was approved for industrial-scale production after a demonstration during exercise ORION 2026.

A second, broader project is called Pendragon. It is led by the Ministry’s defence artificial intelligence agency, AMIAD, together with the Army’s future combat command (Commandement du combat du futur). Its aim is to create a unit that brings together ground robots, aerial drones including FPV types, and smart munitions, intended for missions that are more dangerous for soldiers.

Context

The ministry’s report sets the development against the war between Russia and Ukraine. On the counter-drone side, Geopolitiki has earlier reported on French Army work in Proteus: the French Army revived old 20 mm guns to shoot down drones.

The ministry’s page does not give production numbers, a fielding schedule or a budget for either Fronde or Pendragon, so it is not yet clear how quickly the units described will grow beyond the regiments mentioned. The programme itself is available on the ministry’s website.