Business · Companies · 10 hrs ago
Singapore uses Breton company’s underwater drones to secure its strait
Singapore deployed underwater drones made by French company RTsys to help secure the Singapore Strait.
The route is used by about 150,000 ships each year, three times as many as the Strait of Hormuz.
RTsys’s Comet-MCM drone uses high-resolution sonar to map the seabed autonomously for more than 12 hours and can help check for mines.
Singapore bought several drones and spare parts and has a company representative on site.
The deal gives RTsys a major overseas customer as it seeks growth beyond France, where its president says larger groups dominate the market.
RTsys aims to double revenue to 50 million euros by 2030 by expanding production at its new site near Lorient, and says it is in talks with Gulf and Baltic countries about possible contracts.
Singapore’s navy has deployed underwater drones made by French company RTsys to help secure the Strait of Singapore.
The strait is used by 150,000 ships each year, three times as many as the Strait of Hormuz, according to BFM Business.
RTsys’s Comet-MCM drones can autonomously map the seabed for more than 12 hours using high-resolution sonar.
Singapore bought several drones and spare parts, and RTsys has a staff member based where they are deployed.
RTsys reported revenue of 25 million euros in 2025, with more than half from international business, and aims to reach 50 million euros by 2030.
- Who
- Singapore’s navy and RTsys, a company based in Brittany, France.
- What
- Singapore deployed RTsys underwater drones to help secure the strait and map the seabed.
- When
- The drones have been deployed since this summer. The article was published on November 8, 2026.
- Where
- The Strait of Singapore.
- Why
- To help ensure the safety of a strategic global trade route and check whether mines have been laid.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
RTsys inaugurated a new 5,200-square-metre site in Lanester, near Lorient.
RTsys recorded revenue of 25 million euros, with more than half coming from international business.
Singapore’s navy deployed RTsys underwater drones in the strait.
RTsys aims to reach revenue of 50 million euros.
- Company
- RTsys, based in Brittany, France
- Drone
- Comet-MCM
- Autonomous mapping time
- More than 12 hours
- Annual traffic
- 150,000 ships use the Strait of Singapore
- Employees
- RTsys has 125 employees
- Revenue target
- 50 million euros by 2030
What people are saying
We are talking about a system that combines humans and robots, with the complexity of having devices connected to each other on and under the water.
Several drones were bought by Singapore, along with many spare parts, because they have a major need for availability.
In France, we are crushed by big groups, so we go abroad.
This deployment validates French autonomous underwater vehicles for mine warfare with a leading navy, in one of the most demanding environments there is.