France "AAROK" New MALE Drone Completes First Flight

On 9 September 2025, the prototype MALE (Medium Altitude Long Endurance) drone AAROK, developed by Turgis Gaillard, successfully carried out its first flight from Blois-Le Breuil aerodrome. The milestone crowns four years of development and positions AAROK as a sovereign European alternative to foreign systems.

Fanny Turgis, President of Turgis Gaillard, said: “Today’s flight is a decisive step in the development of the AAROK. It crowns four years of major efforts to bring the first European MALE drone to life. The team has worked tirelessly to transform a simple idea into a completed aircraft, and the AAROK has already demonstrated great maturity during this first flight.”

Patrick Gaillard, Managing Director, added: “The maturity demonstrated is the main lesson of this first flight. The take-off was clean, the climb rate impressive, and all parameters matched our forecasts. These successes give us great confidence for the next stages.”

Technical Features

• Maximum Take-Off Weight: ~5.5 tonnes

• Payload Capacity: ~1.5 tonnes (weapons & sensors)

• Engine: 1,200 hp turboprop

• Wingspan: ~22 meters | Length: ~14 meters

• Endurance: Over 24 hours (armed configuration)

• Ceiling: ~30,000 feet

• Systems: Electro-optical sensors, AESA radar, SATCOM, electronic warfare suites

AAROK has been designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as strike operations, offering a European sovereign option compared to U.S.-made drones like the MQ-9 Reaper.

Strategic Importance

• Sovereignty: Built with non-ITAR components, ensuring export flexibility and independence from U.S. restrictions.

• Partnership with Thales: Equipped with the AirMaster S AESA radar, providing advanced surveillance over air and sea.

• International Cooperation:

  • With Bharat Forge (India) under a Make in India agreement for local production.

  • With Antonov (Ukraine) to develop a “consumable” version, lighter and cost-efficient for high-intensity use.

Military Applications

• Long-range ISR missions in contested environments.

• Maritime patrol and territorial waters protection.

• Precision strikes from safe standoff ranges.

• Support to ground and air forces in operations far from anti-aircraft threats.

• Deployment from semi-prepared runways, increasing operational flexibility.

Government Support

During a February 2025 visit, then-Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu underlined AAROK’s role in gathering long-range intelligence, protecting French waters, and supporting overseas forces. The project later received funding from the French DGA at the Paris Air Show 2025, securing its path toward future development.

Next Steps

The programme still faces challenges:

• Flight testing and certification in operational environments.

• Integration of strike payloads and electronic warfare systems.

• Industrial production scale-up and logistics for maintenance.

If successful, AAROK could enter service with French and allied forces in the coming years, reshaping Europe’s drone sovereignty and strategic autonomy.