With the PROTEUS Standard 2 system entering mass production, the French Army has taken a new step in modernizing its anti-drone capabilities.
This system consists of an AA53 T2 type 20mm improved anti-aircraft gun mounted on a Renault 53T3 4×4 military truck, designed to counter the increasing threats from lightweight aerial targets and drone swarms. In early 2025, the 35th Paratrooper Regiment will be the first to equip this air defense system, which marks a significant advancement in transforming existing weaponry to meet modern combat requirements.
This article is an introduction published by the “Army Recognition” website, which I have translated and edited for sharing.
Specifically, the AA53 T2 anti-aircraft gun is equipped with a targeting assistance system, including visible/infrared sensors, a digital processor optimized for artificial intelligence algorithms, and an improved human-machine interface. These enhancements aim to increase targeting and operational efficiency by predicting drone flight trajectories and improving shooting accuracy. The first batch of six PROTEUS systems will be completed within three months, with a total of 50 systems expected to be finished by the end of 2026.
The PROTEUS system was developed in a few months with the support of the French Army’s technical department (STAT) and the Ministry of Defense’s Artificial Intelligence Bureau (AMIAD), following the principle of practicality and fully utilizing existing weaponry. The main weapon used is a 20mm anti-aircraft gun with a theoretical firing rate of 700 rounds per minute and an effective range of 1500 meters, equipped with a SANDRA thermal imager and an advanced fire control system. Mounted on the Renault 53T3 military truck, it offers high mobility for rapid deployment in combat environments.
The PROTEUS Standard 2 introduces upgraded features through artificial intelligence. Based on the flight trajectories of enemy targets, the fire control system provides reference aiming points for the shooter, improving operational efficiency by over 30% compared to previous models. Designed primarily for the protection of bases, convoys, and critical infrastructure, it is mainly operated by specialized units such as paratrooper regiments and artillery regiments, which can play a core role after undergoing air defense training at the National All-Weapon Air Defense Assessment and Training Center (CNEF LATTA).
In recent years, to address the rapidly evolving drone threats, France has actively taken countermeasures. In 2024, a low-altitude air defense force was established to strengthen the Army’s anti-drone capabilities and oversee the upgrades and modifications of the PROTEUS system alongside existing weaponry such as the “Scorpion” vehicle series. Currently, the French military is also actively researching plans to apply the predictive aiming algorithms of PROTEUS to other platforms such as remote weapon stations.
In the future, the French Army will also equip the improved AA53 T2 type 20mm anti-aircraft gun on other platforms to meet demands for off-road performance, deployment environments, and economic costs.
In addition to equipping the French Army, the PROTEUS also has export potential. Its cost-effective design and AI-equipped fire control system make it an ideal choice for various countries’ militaries to enhance their short-range air defense capabilities against new aerial threats. It can operate independently or be deployed in conjunction with air defense missile systems to improve air defense operational efficiency.
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