Thales Naval DRAKON: Integrated Military and Commercial SAT Comms, VLF/LF, HF, and V/UF

Thales has introduced its Naval DRAKON system, aimed at improving secure communications and interoperability for naval forces operating in complex maritime environments.

The solution is designed to integrate multiple types of communication systems—spanning military and commercial satellite communications, VLF/LF, HF, and V/UHF frequencies—to support a wide range of deployed assets, including surface vessels, submarines, aircraft, and unmanned systems. The objective is to provide naval forces with adaptable communication tools that can prioritize various needs such as data rate, operational discretion, resilience, or low latency, depending on mission requirements.

Technical Overview of Naval DRAKON’s Capabilities

Naval DRAKON is structured around an open architecture, enabling compatibility with recent advancements in naval communications technology. It incorporates features like wideband HF (HF XL) for high-data-rate transmissions, compact multi-orbit satellite terminals, and software-defined V/UHF radios. This allows naval units to manage their electromagnetic emissions more precisely, enhancing control over communications during sensitive operations where discretion is necessary.

By centralizing these capabilities, Naval DRAKON aims to streamline the communication networks of multi-national forces operating together, which is increasingly common in high-intensity or joint operations. The system’s real-time spectrum management capability allows it to allocate communication resources as needed to optimize connectivity and data flow, which can be crucial for mission coordination in complex maritime threat environments.

Background and Deployment

Naval DRAKON builds on Thales’s earlier DRAKON solution for land forces, introduced in mid-2024 at the Eurosatory defense exhibition. This naval version reflects Thales’s continued focus on providing integrated communication solutions to the defense sector, specifically designed for the requirements of naval operations. Thales reports that it has installed communications technology on over 400 naval platforms globally, including approximately 100 submarines, over the past 40 years.

Initial deployments of Naval DRAKON are planned for several high-profile naval platforms, including France’s Jacques Chevallier-class fleet replenishment tankers, French and Greek FDI frigates, and the UK Royal Navy’s T31 frigates. The system will reportedly support a range of management functions, including spectrum and cybersecurity management, intended to enhance communications security and operational efficiency in contested environments.

Strategic Context and Implications

Naval DRAKON’s development comes amid a growing emphasis on interoperability and secure data exchange within allied naval forces. By supporting multiple communication standards and providing centralized management tools, the system is positioned to facilitate multinational coordination and secure communication in settings where traditional or single-channel communication systems may not suffice. As maritime threats diversify—ranging from electronic warfare to unmanned platforms—solutions like Naval DRAKON may address the increasing demand for flexible, cyber-resilient communications in contemporary naval operations.

Großwald Curated: Potential Use Cases and Applications of Naval DRAKON in Modern Naval Operations

Naval DRAKON’s multi-platform compatibility and adaptable communication features make it a versatile solution across a variety of naval operations and scenarios. With its focus on secure, real-time connectivity and electromagnetic spectrum management, the system is designed to address some of the most pressing needs in contemporary maritime security.

Enhanced Multinational Task Force Operations

One of the primary use cases for Naval DRAKON lies in multinational maritime task force operations, where diverse fleets must operate together with cohesive communication protocols. These operations, common in strategic chokepoints or during international naval exercises, involve surface vessels, submarines, and increasingly, unmanned systems from various nations. With Naval DRAKON, command centers can streamline data exchange between allied ships, ensuring seamless information flow despite differing communication infrastructures. The system’s spectrum management capabilities allow operators to adapt bandwidth and signal strength, reducing risks of detection or interference from hostile forces.

Contested Environment and Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) Operations

Naval DRAKON’s ability to manage and minimize electromagnetic signatures makes it useful in anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) zones, where enemy forces might employ electronic warfare to detect, jam, or intercept communications. The system’s spectrum control functionality allows naval units to selectively reduce emissions, enhancing their stealth and reducing exposure to enemy electronic detection systems. This feature can be particularly valuable in high-stakes regions such as the South China Sea or the Black Sea, where strategic competition has heightened and where stealth and secure communications are paramount.

Integration of Unmanned Surface and Underwater Platforms

With the rapid advancement of unmanned systems, navies are increasingly integrating unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and underwater drones for surveillance, mine countermeasures, and reconnaissance missions. Naval DRAKON supports communication across various platforms, allowing operators to coordinate with both manned and unmanned systems from a central command node. This integration helps enhance situational awareness, as data collected by unmanned assets can be securely relayed in real-time to command centers or other deployed units, improving responsiveness to dynamic threats such as underwater mines or fast-moving, hostile craft.

Crisis Response and Humanitarian Assistance Missions

In scenarios where naval forces are deployed for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), communications need to remain secure but open to coordination with civilian and international agencies. Naval DRAKON’s adaptable infrastructure enables forces to securely connect with non-military satellites or other communication systems used by humanitarian organizations. By facilitating secure, interoperable communication between military and civilian responders, the system can improve coordination efforts during crises, where timely and secure data exchange can accelerate response and relief operations.

Coastal Defense and Homeland Security Applications

For coastal defense and homeland security missions, Naval DRAKON offers functionality that can help maintain secure communications among a country’s naval and coast guard assets. When used in homeland security operations, especially in coastal areas with high civilian activity, the system’s selective emission control could enhance operational discretion. This feature is relevant to counter-smuggling, anti-piracy, or port protection missions where it’s critical to avoid interference or detection by unauthorized entities.

Cybersecurity in Naval Operations

Cyber resilience is increasingly significant as navies face threats not only from physical but also digital attacks. Naval DRAKON’s built-in cybersecurity management tools can help naval forces detect and counter cyber threats to communication networks in real time. This capability provides naval commanders with insights into network integrity, allowing them to take immediate action in response to anomalies. By integrating cybersecurity monitoring directly into the communication network, Naval DRAKON aims to safeguard mission-critical information from unauthorized access, supporting both operational security and data integrity in high-stakes environments.

In each of these use cases, Naval DRAKON is positioned to support diverse mission types where secure, adaptable communications play a crucial role. As global navies increasingly operate in complex, data-intensive environments, systems like Naval DRAKON may become essential for maintaining operational effectiveness, interoperability, and security across varied maritime theaters.

Source: Thales