Image: France MoD
France’s Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has ordered 5,000 Delco combat drones from Harmattan AI, as per a recent press statement. The DGA placed the order on 28 May 2026 and must deliver all units to the French Army by early 2027.
The procurement significantly expands France’s existing Delco inventory. The DGA had previously supplied 1,000 drones to the army in January 2026, supporting the Orion 2026 exercise. The new contract multiplies that total fivefold.
Harmattan AI won the original programme through a European tender launched in February 2025. The acquisition arose from France’s Defence Air Drone Pact, which facilitates dialogue between the state and industry on unmanned aerial systems requirements. The company has since become France’s first defence unicorn. It designs and assembles the Delco domestically, partnering with Lynred for infrared camera supply.
The Delco weighs 1.8 kg and carries optronic observation systems. It offers a range exceeding two kilometres and a flight time of 40 minutes. The system supports reconnaissance operations day and night, across large areas and difficult terrain.
Delivering 5,000 units within compressed deadlines demanded early investment in Harmattan AI’s production capacity. The company built production scaling requirements into the design from the outset. This industrial ramp-up positions Harmattan AI as a significant new entrant within France’s Defence Industrial and Technological Base (DITB).
Read more on the French MoD website













