Overview
- Authorities say five small drones were technically detected around 19:30 on December 4 over the Île Longue base near Brest, prompting anti-drone and search operations.
- The Rennes military prosecutor says fusiliers marins used a jamming shot rather than firearms, no drones were brought down, and no pilots have been identified.
- A judicial investigation has been opened by the military prosecutor in Rennes and entrusted to the maritime gendarmerie’s research section.
- Investigators will confirm whether multiple aircraft were involved or repeated sightings of fewer devices; officials say sensitive infrastructure was not threatened and no foreign interference is established at this stage.
- The incident follows earlier illegal flights over the Crozon peninsula and parallels a wider rise in unidentified drones near sensitive sites in France and across northern Europe, including recent reports at Bergerac, Mulhouse and Mourmelon.