Euronaval 2026: France charters Protée interim MCM mother ships for SLAM-F

France’s Directorate General of Armaments is chartering two modular 80-metre vessels as interim support ships for the French Navy’s SLAM-F mine countermeasures programme. Chantiers de l’Atlantique and Les Abeilles International will provide the ships under the Protée initiative, announced by the Ministry of the Armed Forces on 4 November 2026. The vessels are due to enter service from 2028 and will support uncrewed surface and underwater systems used to locate, identify and clear mines. They will give the navy experience with the equipment in French waters before purpose-built mine warfare ships enter service.