Overview
- Five small drones were technically detected around 19:30 on 4 December over the Île Longue base near Brest, which hosts France’s ballistic-missile submarines.
- Base security activated counter-drone and search measures and carried out multiple anti-drone shots, though authorities have not confirmed any recoveries.
- Reporting in Le Journal du Dimanche says the devices were likely jammed rather than brought down, with no drones retrieved.
- Maritime prefecture spokesman Capt. Guillaume Le Rasle said sensitive infrastructure was not threatened and described the drones as unarmed, with the flights intended to unsettle the public.
- The Rennes military prosecutor has opened a judicial investigation as officials probe the origin and intent, against a backdrop of recent drone incursions at sensitive sites in Europe and a prior November sighting near Crozon.