The US is buying 600 Rogue 1 drones; Egypt is co-producing the Hamza-2.
The US orders over 600 Rogue 1 OPF-L missiles worth $42.5 million; Egypt collaborates with Norinco on Hamza-2 missiles; France investigates drones flying over the L'Ile Longue nuclear deterrence base.
The US is bolstering its small-scale precision firepower with over 600 Rogue 1 suicide drones in the $42.5 million OPF-L program. Egypt has signed a cooperation agreement with Norinco to co-produce the Hamza-2 armed UAV; France has launched an investigation into the incident involving five drones flying over L'Ile Longue base, a center of nuclear deterrence.
The US expands its precision firepower with the Rogue 1 in the OPF-L.
Teledyne FLIR Defense announced on December 5th that the U.S. Marine Corps has ordered more than 600 Rogue 1 systems under a $42.5 million contract as part of the Organic Precision Fires-Light (OPF-L) program. The delivery package includes the Rogue 1 system, ground control station, and training equipment; deployment to units is expected to begin this summer.
The OPF-L aims for "organic" firepower capabilities at the platoon/squad level, allowing for the detection, tracking, and engagement of beyond-visual-range targets without relying on artillery, air power, or long-range UAVs from higher levels.
Technical specifications confirmed
- Rogue 1 is a small, suicide drone carrying various types of warheads, designed to strike lightly armored targets, vehicles, or infantry.
- Reusability: The safety fuse allows for mission cancellation and return when the situation changes, reducing the logistical burden.
- Sensors: The Boson 640+ electro-optical and thermal imaging combination on a rotating stabilized turret ensures day and night reconnaissance and maintains the aiming point until impact.
Operational significance
Rogue 1 delivers precision fire to the front lines, increasing the independent capabilities of small, dispersed formations. The presence of hundreds of stealthy munitions forces the enemy to face constant risk from hard-to-detect units, well-suited to contested combat environments.
Egypt co-produces the Hamza-2 armed UAV with Norinco.
At EDEX 2025, the Arab Industrial Organization (AOI) announced the signing of several agreements, most notably a collaboration with Norinco to co-produce the Hamza-2 armed UAV. The goal is to establish an airframe assembly line, integrate control systems, and increase the proportion of domestically produced components. The exhibited model shows the Hamza-2 with weapon pylons under its wings, performing reconnaissance and attack functions.
Technical platform: ASN-209
The Hamza-2 is believed to be an evolution of the ASN-209 series, which Egypt has been assembling for over a decade. According to published data:
| Parameter | ASN-209 |
|---|---|
| Flight time | 10 o'clock |
| Control range | 200 km |
| Load | approximately 50 kg |
| Sensors/devices | Optical-infrared, synthetic aperture radar, electronic warfare |
| Deploy/Revoke | Launched by rocket booster, recovered by parachute. |
Egypt expects to arm this platform to expand border surveillance and the ability to strike ground targets when necessary.
Related industrial cooperation
AOI also signed seven agreements with UAE aviation companies such as Abu Dhabi Aviation Group, Maximus Air, and Global Aerospace Logistics, covering component manufacturing, maintenance, logistics, and technical support. The agreement with Al Qalaa Red Flag focuses on investing in new production lines and boosting exports to the Arab-African market. At the same time, Egypt expanded discussions with Dassault Aviation regarding the localization of certain components for the Rafale fighter jet.
Unidentified drones over the L'Ile Longue nuclear deterrence base (France)
According to AFP, on December 4th, five unidentified drones flew over the L'Ile Longue base, where four French ballistic missile submarines are docked. Security forces deployed an anti-drone operation, using radio jamming instead of firearms. None were shot down, and the operator remains unknown; authorities said there was no evidence of foreign interference. A criminal investigation has been opened.
The context and security risks of UAVs
This incident extends a series of intrusions at key European facilities: four drones approached the flight path of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's plane near Dublin; the Dutch military previously fired on a drone at Volkel Air Base – where US B61-12 bombs are stored – but failed to recover any wreckage. Some European countries believe this could be a form of "hybrid attack" aimed at causing social unrest, but there is no concrete evidence yet.
Although the causes remain unclear, these incidents highlight the challenges posed by small, inexpensive, and hard-to-detect UAVs, forcing even heavily fortified bases to devise countermeasures suitable for the modern operational environment.
