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Topics · AI, the military, drones and autonomous weapons (LAWS)

Military AI, drones and autonomous weapons: what the candidates in the 2027 presidential election propose

As of November 12, 2026, 26 proposals and statements from 11 candidates and potential candidates: Bruno Le Maire, Bruno Retailleau, Emmanuel Dubuisson, Gabriel Attal, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, Juan Branco, Marine Tondelier, Natacha Polony, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, Raphaël Glucksmann, Édouard Philippe.

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Background

Lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS) refer to weapons that would operate without human control; according to French diplomacy, they do not exist to date and are not the subject of a universally accepted definition. France has stated that it would not develop LAWS. At its initiative, discussions were launched in 2013 at the United Nations, under the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW).

France has set out its defense AI strategy along three principles: respect for international law, command responsibility and the maintenance of sufficient human control. The Agence ministérielle pour l'intelligence artificielle de défense (AMIAD), created on May 1, 2024, is tasked with equipping the forces with AI solutions. The ministry lists 400 AI use cases and plans 300 hires for the agency by the end of 2026.

Sources: Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères · Ministère des Armées

What the candidates propose

Bruno Le Maire · Commitment · AI, Defense and Armament · August 23, 2026 · Direct link with AI

Establish a massive deterrence capability against AI attacks

We have nuclear deterrence, but no massive deterrence capability against AI attacks. Putting this capability in place is now a vital emergency.
Original French quote
Nous avons la dissuasion nucléaire, mais aucune capacité de dissuasion massive contre les attaques IA. La mise en place de cette capacité est désormais une urgence vitale.

Source: uneautrefrance.fr · archived copy

Bruno Retailleau · Costed measure · Announced Savings and Public Finances · September 12, 2026 · Direct link with AI

Invest €2.3 billion over the five-year term in the State's digital security

A new investment of €2.3 billion over the five-year term is planned for the plan Vauban numérique, the strengthening of ANSSI and AMIAD, the inspection générale du numérique and cyber recruitment.
Original French quote
Un investissement nouveau de 2,3 milliards d'euros sur le quinquennat est prévu pour le plan Vauban numérique, le renforcement de l'ANSSI et de l'AMIAD, l'inspection générale du numérique et le recrutement cyber.

Source: avecretailleau.fr · archived copy

Bruno Retailleau · Commitment · AI, Defense and Armament · September 11, 2026 · Direct link with AI

Give priority to French and European companies for defense building blocks based on AI

Give priority to French and European companies for orders of critical defense building blocks based on AI: cyberdefense, cryptography, military planning, drones, robotics, decision-support tools, intelligence analysis, autonomous navigation and quantum technologies.
Original French quote
Commander en priorité aux entreprises françaises et européennes les briques critiques de défense fondées sur l'IA : cyberdéfense, cryptographie, planification militaire, drones, robotique, outils d'aide à la décision, analyse du renseignement, navigation autonome et technologies quantiques.

Source: avecretailleau.fr · archived copy

Bruno Retailleau · Costed measure · AI, Defense and Armament · September 11, 2026 · Direct link with AI

Increase defense AI funding fivefold, from 130 to 650 million euros per year

Gradually increase fivefold, over the five-year term, the resources devoted to defense AI, concentrating the effort on four priorities: cybersecurity, drones and autonomous systems, robotization and quantum computing.
Original French quote
Multiplier progressivement par cinq, sur le quinquennat, les moyens consacrés à l'IA de défense, en concentrant l'effort sur quatre priorités : la cybersécurité, les drones et systèmes autonomes, la robotisation et le calcul quantique .

Source: avecretailleau.fr · archived copy

Bruno Retailleau · Commitment · Rights, Freedoms and Disinformation · July 7, 2026 · Direct link with AI

Developing algorithmic monitoring tools against hostile information operations

We will develop our algorithmic monitoring tools to identify, attribute and contain hostile information operations targeting our democratic institutions.
Original French quote
Nous développerons nos outils de veille algorithmique pour identifier, attribuer et contenir les opérations informationnelles hostiles visant nos institutions démocratiques.

Source: avecretailleau.fr · archived copy

Bruno Retailleau · Principle · AI, Defense and Armament · July 7, 2026 · Direct link with AI

Rejecting doctrines of unilateral renunciation, including on lethal autonomous weapons systems

France must also reject doctrines that disarm us unilaterally in the face of adversaries who, for their part, will continue their programs. This applies in particular to the uses of autonomous weapons systems, including lethal ones.
Original French quote
La France doit également refuser les doctrines qui nous désarment unilatéralement face à des adversaires qui, eux, poursuivront leurs programmes. Cela vaut notamment pour les usages des systèmes d’armes autonomes, y compris létales.

Source: avecretailleau.fr · archived copy

Bruno Retailleau · Costed measure · Rights, Freedoms and Disinformation · July 7, 2026 · Indirect link with AI

Triple VIGINUM's resources and enable it to respond to interference campaigns

Against disinformation from abroad, we will triple VIGINUM's resources and give it the means to respond: never through lies, always through facts.
Original French quote
Contre la désinformation venue de l’étranger, nous triplerons les moyens de VIGINUM et lui donnerons les moyens de riposter - jamais par le mensonge, toujours par les faits.

Source: avecretailleau.fr · archived copy

Bruno Retailleau · Principle · AI, Defense and Armament · July 7, 2026 · Indirect link with AI

Offering French cyber expertise to allied nations ("cyber umbrella")

We will make our cyber expertise a diplomatic asset by offering it to our allied nations, toward a genuine French cyber umbrella, which will extend our influence where other powers are already moving their pieces forward.
Original French quote
Nous ferons de notre savoir-faire cyber un atout diplomatique en l’offrant à nos nations alliées - vers un véritable parapluie cyber français, qui étendra notre influence là où d’autres puissances avancent déjà leurs pions.

Source: avecretailleau.fr · archived copy

Emmanuel Dubuisson · Goal · AI, Defense and Armament · June 5, 2026 · Direct link with AI

Increase capabilities in critical military segments, including cyber and AI systems

France must increase its capabilities in critical segments such as drones, munitions, missiles, hybrid vehicles, cyber and AI systems, aeronautics, Overseas logistics and technical training.
Original French quote
La France doit augmenter ses capacités sur les segments critiques tels que les drones, les munitions, les missiles, les véhicules hybrides, les systèmes cyber et IA, l’aéronautique, la logistique Outre-mer et la formation technique.

Source: media-kit.dubuisson2027.fr · archived copy

Gabriel Attal · Commitment · AI, Defense and Armament · July 3, 2026 · Direct link with AI

Strengthening defense investments in drones and AI

He also wants to strengthen investments in innovation, particularly in drones and artificial intelligence.
Original French quote
Il souhaite également renforcer les investissements dans l'innovation, en particulier dans les drones et l'intelligence artificielle.

Source: attalpresident.fr · archived copy

Gabriel Attal · Statement · AI, Defense and Armament · July 3, 2026 · Direct link with AI

Observation on the impact of drones, AI, cyber and quantum on the nature of conflicts

The rise of drones, artificial intelligence, cyber and also quantum technologies is profoundly upending conflicts.
Original French quote
L'essor des drones, de l'intelligence artificielle, du cyber ou encore des technologies quantiques bouleverse profondément les conflits.

Source: attalpresident.fr · archived copy

Jean-Luc Mélenchon · Goal · AI, Defense and Armament · July 17, 2026 · Direct link with AI

Making France a power in disruptive military technologies, including dronization and AI

Making France an essential power in disruptive technologies: miniaturization, dronization, artificial intelligence, etc.
Original French quote
Faire de la France une puissance incontournable dans les technologies de rupture : miniaturisation, dronisation, intelligence artificielle, etc.

Source: melenchon2027.fr · archived copy

Jean-Luc Mélenchon · Commitment · AI Regulation and the AI Act · June 13, 2026 · Direct link with AI

Open negotiations at the UN on AI regulation and the ban on lethal autonomous weapons

the opening of negotiations at the UN for the regulation of AI and in particular the ban on lethal autonomous weapons systems.
Original French quote
l’ouverture de négociations à l’Onu pour la régulation de l’IA et notamment l’interdiction des systèmes d’armes l’étales autonomes.

Source: lafranceinsoumise.fr · archived copy

Juan Branco · Costed measure · AI, Defense and Armament · May 27, 2026 · Indirect link with AI

Produce one million drones per year by 2032, scalable to five million in the event of conflict

Development of a production capacity of 1 million drones annually, scalable to 5 million in the event of armed confrontation, by 2032, including 20% interceptors.
Original French quote
Développement d’une capacité de production de 1 millions de drones annuels, extensible à 5 millions en cas d’affrontement armé, à horizon 2032, dont 20% d’intercepteurs.

Source: ruches.org · archived copy

Marine Tondelier · Commitment · AI, Defense and Armament · July 15, 2026 · Direct link with AI

Restrict AI-assisted operational decisions to trained personnel

Authorize AI-assisted operational decisions only for trained personnel and in compliance with applicable law.
Original French quote
N’autoriser les décisions opérationnelles assistées par IA que pour des personnels formés et dans le respect du droit applicable.

Source: marinetondelier.fr · archived copy

Marine Tondelier · Commitment · AI, Domestic Security and Justice · July 15, 2026 · Direct link with AI

Sharing European Intelligence Databases

Increase European cooperation on intelligence through shared databases and joint operations.
Original French quote
Accroître la coopération européenne en matière de renseignement par des bases de données partagées et des opérations communes.

Source: marinetondelier.fr · archived copy

Marine Tondelier · Commitment · AI, Defense and Armament · July 15, 2026 · Indirect link with AI

Proposing a European package guaranteeing interoperability between armies, notably for drones

Proposing a comprehensive package: military and capability cooperation, an industrial program and financial support, guaranteeing interoperability between armies, notably for drones and strategic transport.
Original French quote
Proposer un paquet global : une coopération militaire et capacitaire, un programme industriel et un accompagnement financier, garants de l’interopérabilité entre armées notamment pour les drones et les transports stratégiques.

Source: marinetondelier.fr · archived copy

Marine Tondelier · Commitment · AI, Defense and Armament · July 15, 2026 · Indirect link with AI

Expanding the army's drone equipment

Develop the resources of the artillery, the armored cavalry, the engineering corps and drone equipment.
Original French quote
Développer les moyens de l’artillerie, de la cavalerie blindée, du génie et l’équipement en drones.

Source: marinetondelier.fr · archived copy

Marine Tondelier · Principle · AI, Defense and Armament · July 15, 2026 · Direct link with AI

Rejecting the autonomy of AI-driven military systems and preserving human responsibility

Preserving the doctrine of human responsibility for military systems in order to refuse technological autonomy in war, in particular for systems driven by Artificial Intelligence.
Original French quote
Préserver la doctrine de la responsabilité humaine des systèmes militaires afin de refuser l’autonomie technologique dans la guerre en particulier pour les systèmes pilotés par Intelligence Artificielle.

Source: marinetondelier.fr · archived copy

Natacha Polony · Commitment · Research, Investment and Business · September 7, 2026 · Direct link with AI

Using public procurement by the Ministry of Armed Forces to develop Mistral and the AI sector

It is therefore through public procurement by the Ministry of Defense that France can create an ecosystem favorable to the development of Mistral and of the whole sector that must be structured around it.
Original French quote
C’est donc par la commande publique du ministère de la Défense que la France peut créer un écosystème favorable au développement de Mistral et de toute la filière qui doit se structurer autour.

Source: revue-laudace.fr · archived copy

Nicolas Dupont-Aignan · Goal · AI, Defense and Armament · Indirect link with AI

Getting Back in the Race for Know-How in Missiles and Drones

Getting back in the race for know-how in the broad field of missiles and drones and regaining our standing
Original French quote
Se remettre dans la course aux savoir-faire dans le domaine étendu des missiles et des drones et retrouver notre rang

Source: debout-la-france.fr · archived copy

Nicolas Dupont-Aignan · Commitment · AI, Defense and Armament · Direct link with AI

Improving technical intelligence and mass data processing through AI

Improve our technical intelligence capabilities (imagery, interceptions, cyber) and mass data processing (Big Data, AI).
Original French quote
Améliorer nos capacités de renseignement technique (imagerie, interceptions, cyber) et le traitement des données de masse (Big Data, IA).

Source: debout-la-france.fr · archived copy

Nicolas Dupont-Aignan · Commitment · AI, Defense and Armament · Indirect link with AI

Withdrawing from the European MALE drone project in favor of a French drone

France will therefore withdraw from the European MALE drone project, which is too costly, poorly defined and gives too large a share to German interests, in order to entrust the national industry with the development of a French drone corresponding to our needs
Original French quote
La France se retirera donc du projet de drône MALE européen, trop coûteux, mal dé-fini et faisant une part trop belle aux intérêts allemands, pour confier à l’industrie nationale le développement d’un drone français correspondant à nos besoins

Source: debout-la-france.fr · archived copy

Raphaël Glucksmann · Commitment · AI Regulation and the AI Act · March 25, 2026 · Direct link with AI

Driving an international AI treaty for very high-risk uses

Driving an international A.I. treaty that would lay the foundations for international regulation of A.I. uses in very high-risk areas.
Original French quote
Impulser un traité international de l’I.A. qui poserait les bases d’une régulation internationale des usages de l’I.A. dans les domaines à très haut risque.

Source: place-publique.eu · archived copy

Raphaël Glucksmann · Commitment · AI, Defense and Armament · March 25, 2026 · Direct link with AI

Launch major drone production programs

Launch major programs for drone production and for the modernization of our space capabilities, and work on integrating Artificial Intelligence into our defense apparatus.
Original French quote
Lancer de grands programmes de production de drones, de modernisation de nos capacités spatiales et travailler à l’intégration de l’Intelligence Artificielle dans notre outil de défense.

Source: place-publique.eu · archived copy

Édouard Philippe · Commitment · AI, Defense and Armament · Indirect link with AI

Scaling up the production and procurement of tactical drones

Scale up our production and our procurement of tactical drones, on the model of the American program of 300,000 drones.
Original French quote
Massifier notre production et nos achats de drones tactiques , sur le modèle du programme américain de 300 000 drones.

Source: edouardphilippe.fr · archived copy