The Aarok, a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle developed by the French company Turgis & Gaillard, successfully completed its first ground taxiing tests.
“These tests, which began on February 14, [2025,] verified the proper functioning of the aircraft’s systems when powered by its own engine,” Turgis & Gaillard said in a statement.
The taxiing tests were conducted at Blois-Le Breuil Aerodrome (XBQ) in central France. A pilot was present on board to start the engine, maneuver the aircraft along the taxiway, and align it for simulated takeoff. This sequence was repeated multiple times without any incidents.
The following steps include high-speed taxiing and a wing load test before proceeding to a maiden flight, provided all evaluations yield positive results.
Turgis & Gaillard initiated the development of the Aarok in 2020, publicly unveiling the first prototype at the Paris Air Show in June 2023. The drone features a 22-meter wingspan, a length of 14 meters, and a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 5.5 tons, including a 1.5-ton payload capacity.
With an endurance exceeding 24 hours and satellite communications capability, it is designed for missions including Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), ground strikes, and maritime surveillance.
Comparable in role and capability to the US MQ-9 Reaper, which is already in service with the French Air and Space Force, the Aarok presents a lighter and potentially more cost-effective alternative to the European MALE program, also known as the Eurodrone.
The Aarok is steadily progressing in its development and has the potential to enhance France’s defense capabilities by providing a domestic alternative to current platforms and meeting the evolving operational demands of modern warfare.
Before its official deployment, a more attritable version of the Aarok could be used in battle scenarios in Ukraine. In September 2023, Turgis & Gaillard reached an agreement with the Ukrainian aircraft manufacturer Antonov Company to produce a localized version of the Aarok tailored to the needs of the Ukrainian armed forces.
