FRENCH ARMY: DRONE-GUIDED CANINE OPERATIONS
Air Base 107, Villacoublay. May 28, 2025.
On the warm tarmac of late morning, a dense silence surrounds the operation. Three men, three dogs. And in the sky, a drone hovering quietly. On the ground, Peyo waits — still, focused. Harnessed, wearing tactical goggles, he anticipates the signal. At his side, his handler, Sergeant-Chef Dorian, barely whispers.
The Commando Parachutiste de l’Air n°20 (CPA20), based in Orange, delivered a unique demonstration of its canine capabilities. Peyo, a seven-and-a-half-year-old Belgian Malinois, is the first military dog in France trained to be guided by drone. This cutting-edge innovation, developed within the CPA20, transforms the traditional dog-handler duo into a silent trio: the soldier, the animal, and the machine above.
Peyo can cover up to 300 meters independently while being guided from the air. He can identify threats, signal their presence, or engage, all while keeping human operators out of danger.
Two other dogs — Prya and Baki — also took part in the demonstration, showcasing the same training method developed by the CPA20. The presentation was divided into three segments: explosive detection, tactical approach via drone guidance, and threat neutralization.
First imagined in 2018, this method is redefining how military dog teams operate in enclosed or hazardous environments. It projects the precision and instincts of a canine far beyond the frontline, with unprecedented accuracy and safety.
Peyo reconnects with Dorian — a look, a gesture, a quiet reward. The bond never broke. It never does. Earlier this year, their team received the 2025 Hero Dog Trophy in the “explosives and weapon detection” category.
With this demonstration, the CPA20 didn’t just show capability. It revealed vision.
FRENCH ARMY: DRONE-GUIDED CANINE OPERATIONS
Air Base 107, Villacoublay. May 28, 2025.
On the warm tarmac of late morning, a dense silence surrounds the operation. Three men, three dogs. And in the sky, a drone hovering quietly. On the ground, Peyo waits — still, focused. Harnessed, wearing tactical goggles, he anticipates the signal. At his side, his handler, Sergeant-Chef Dorian, barely whispers.
The Commando Parachutiste de l’Air n°20 (CPA20), based in Orange, delivered a unique demonstration of its canine capabilities. Peyo, a seven-and-a-half-year-old Belgian Malinois, is the first military dog in France trained to be guided by drone. This cutting-edge innovation, developed within the CPA20, transforms the traditional dog-handler duo into a silent trio: the soldier, the animal, and the machine above.
Peyo can cover up to 300 meters independently while being guided from the air. He can identify threats, signal their presence, or engage, all while keeping human operators out of danger.
Two other dogs — Prya and Baki — also took part in the demonstration, showcasing the same training method developed by the CPA20. The presentation was divided into three segments: explosive detection, tactical approach via drone guidance, and threat neutralization.
First imagined in 2018, this method is redefining how military dog teams operate in enclosed or hazardous environments. It projects the precision and instincts of a canine far beyond the frontline, with unprecedented accuracy and safety.
Peyo reconnects with Dorian — a look, a gesture, a quiet reward. The bond never broke. It never does. Earlier this year, their team received the 2025 Hero Dog Trophy in the “explosives and weapon detection” category.
With this demonstration, the CPA20 didn’t just show capability. It revealed vision.
