On the occasion of the official visit of Pope Leo XIV to Monaco, French authorities mobilized a significant air security system, highlighting the increase in protective measures against contemporary threats, especially in the field of drones.
Under the request of the Monégasque government, the Air and Space Army set up a Special Air Security Device (DPSA) to secure the airspace during the visit of the pontiff. This type of system, regularly activated for events with high political or media sensitivity, relies on close coordination between various military and civilian actors.
The system includes an E-3F AWACS radar aircraft, capable of ensuring detection and air command, a Rafale fighter aircraft, and a Fennec helicopter. The whole operation is supervised from the Lyon Mont-Verdun Air Base, a central hub for military air control in France.
On-site, a team of experts from the Air and Space Army is integrated into the Monégasque command post to coordinate with internal security forces, including the police and gendarmerie.
At the heart of this “protection bubble,” anti-drone warfare plays a crucial role. In response to the increasing malicious use of drones, French authorities have strengthened their interception and neutralization capabilities.
The Fennec helicopter is deployed in a dual configuration, combining traditional air security missions and anti-drone warfare. It can carry elite shooters responsible for implementing active air security measures. Since 2024, these aircraft can also be equipped with the NEROD-RF system, a jammer that neutralizes a drone by disrupting communication with its remote pilot.
This type of system is part of an inter-ministerial logic, involving the National Navy and internal security forces, to ensure comprehensive coverage, including at very low altitudes.
The use of these “protection bubbles” has gradually become standard practice in France to secure large-scale events, such as the July 14 parade, international summits like the G7 or COP, and major sporting events. The goal is to temporarily prohibit any aerial intrusion within a defined perimeter while ensuring immediate intervention capabilities.
On average, about twenty events benefit from this type of system each year, reflecting the evolution of threats and the need for a coordinated and technologically advanced response.
Beyond just protecting an event, the deployment of this DPSA in Monaco broadly illustrates France’s ability to rapidly deploy air security measures for a partner state, thereby enhancing its credibility in security and international cooperation.
