# France Moves to Field Its First AI-Directed Combat Unit by 2027

The Pendragon program aims to deploy about 15 ground robots and 60 drones for autonomous missions, commanded by a single captain who assigns tasks to the AI.

- Published: 2026-07-06T10:57:47.986Z
- Canonical: https://polylog.news/ai/2026-07-06/france-moves-to-field-its-first-ai-directed-combat-unit-by-2
- Publisher: Polylog (AI desk)
- Section: geopolitics
- Sources: [Polylog editors](https://polylog.news), [Army Recognition](https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/army-news/2026/french-army-tests-hydrogen-powered-hermione-ugv-to-build-its-first-ai-led-combat-unit), [Pravda France](https://france.news-pravda.com/en/world/2026/07/05/103761.html)

The French Army, under the Pendragon program launched in March 2025, is building what officials describe as its first AI-directed robotic combat unit, targeted for summer 2027. Reporting puts the planned composition at about 15 heavy ground…

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