French authorities have opened a judicial investigation after unauthorized drones were detected near and over military facilities around Toulon during an October exercise, Politico reported.
Toulon, on France’s Mediterranean coast, hosts one of the country’s largest naval bases, home to the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and attack submarines.
The sightings occurred between October 5 and 16, while French forces were conducting Typhon, an exercise designed to practice responses to drone incursions.
Nighttime flights occurred over Toulon’s naval base, a Directorate General of Armaments facility in the city, and the 54th Artillery Regiment in nearby Hyères.
Counter-drone equipment was deployed in coordination with domestic security forces following each detection.
According to the French Navy, no sensitive infrastructure had been threatened.
Drone Sightings Across Europe
The sightings add to a series of drone incidents across Europe, with military and industrial sites among the locations affected.
In Germany, authorities arrested a Moldovan man in July on suspicion of espionage after he allegedly flew a drone over a KNDS defense manufacturing facility in Munich.
Countries bordering Ukraine have also faced incursions linked to Russia’s war.
Romania and Moldova have repeatedly reported airspace violations and recovered drone debris since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.
Russian drones have also entered Polish and Lithuanian airspace.
Civilian airports have faced disruption as well.
Brussels Airport temporarily suspended operations in 2025 following drone sightings, affecting around 3,000 passengers as flights were canceled or diverted.
Belgian military bases also reported incursions.
Denmark also reported drone incursions near military sites and airport disruptions last year, describing them as a “hybrid attack” and suggesting possible Russian involvement.
