A suspected Russian drone approached the French Navy’s aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle while it was docked in Malmö, Sweden, according to Swedish public broadcaster SVT.
The Swedish Armed Forces detected the unmanned aircraft and launched countermeasures. The type of drone involved is unclear.
The incident, if confirmed, would be an unusually direct attempt to probe security around a high-profile NATO-aligned port visit and a rare public example of counter-drone activity in the immediate vicinity of a carrier strike group.
Drone reportedly launched from nearby Russian vessel
SVT reported that the drone took off from a Russian ship in the area and moved toward Charles de Gaulle, which is currently alongside in Malmö as part of a planned visit connected to NATO exercise activity. SVT said the Swedish Armed Forces initiated electronic countermeasures after detecting the drone.
Following the interference, the drone disappeared from the area. SVT said it remains unclear whether it returned to the Russian vessel or crashed into the sea.
The Malmö incident follows a December 2025 security event in France, when forces at the Île Longue nuclear submarine base opened fire after unidentified drones were detected over the facility, prompting an investigation by France’s Ministry of the Armed Forces.
Carrier visit tied to NATO exercise activity
Charles de Gaulle’s presence in Malmö is part of a scheduled stop during a wider period of training and operations in Northern Europe. The Swedish Armed Forces said the carrier would call at Malmö and remain for several days, and that the visit takes place within NATO’s regular exercise activities.
The Swedish Armed Forces framed the port call as a signal of deepening cooperation with France, stating that the visit strengthens operational capability and Europe’s collective defense. The service also noted that the Dutch frigate HNLMS Evertsen would moor in Malmö, with other elements of the carrier strike group expected in Copenhagen.
The deployment comes as France positions its carrier strike group for operations and interoperability activity in Northern European waters. France’s Ministry of Armed Forces has described the carrier strike group’s current mission, dubbed LA FAYETTE 26, as focused on NATO deterrence and interoperability, alongside maritime security tasks.
