France Investigates Drones Over Nuclear Submarine Base

French authorities have launched an investigation into multiple drone sightings over the Île Longue naval base, a key facility housing the country's nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, on the Atlantic coast near Brest in western France.

The overflights occurred late Thursday, with reports beginning around 7:30 p.m. and continuing into early Friday. Officials from the Atlantic Maritime Prefecture confirmed that several small drones were detected above the restricted area, which serves as the home port for France's four submarines: Le Triomphant, Le Téméraire, Le Vigilant, and Le Terrible. At least one of these vessels remains at sea at all times to maintain the nation's nuclear deterrent, a capability France has upheld since 1971.

Military personnel from the Marine Fusiliers battalion, responsible for base security along with maritime gendarmes, responded promptly by initiating an anti-drone and search operation. While some accounts suggested that shots were fired to neutralize the devices, authorities have not confirmed the details of the interception method, emphasizing that precautionary measures were taken without specifying further. "Sensitive infrastructure was...