To significantly enhance its ground forces’ air defense capabilities, the French Armed Forces Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) announced the acquisition of 24 Serval LAD (Anti-Drone) armored vehicles on January 28, 2025. This new order is part of France’s expanding investment in counter-drone technologies, driven by lessons learned from recent conflicts, especially the ongoing war in Ukraine, where drones have played a pivotal role in shaping battlefield strategies.
The new Serval LAD armored vehicle on display at the Eurosatory Exhibition in Paris, France, June 2024, showcasing cutting-edge counter-drone technology for modern ground defense.
The Serval LAD vehicles are specifically tailored for anti-drone operations. Each vehicle will be equipped with an ARX30 remote-controlled turret designed by French-German defense company KNDS (Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Nexter Defense Systems). The ARX30 turret is armed with a 30mm cannon and integrated autonomous detection systems, including radar and radiofrequency detectors, which allow the vehicle to detect and neutralize drone threats efficiently.