Monaco under high protection: the Air and Space Army deploy a security bubble for the visit of Pope Leon XIV

On the occasion of the official visit of Pope Leon XIV to Monaco, French authorities mobilized a significant air security operation, demonstrating the increasing power of protection methods against contemporary threats, especially in the field of drones.

Exceptional aerial device for the pope’s visit to Monaco

At the request of the Monegasque government, the Air and Space Army set up a Specific Air Security Device (DPSA) to secure the airspace during the visit of the pontiff. This type of device, regularly activated for events of high political or media sensitivity, relies on close coordination between various military and civilian actors.

The device includes an E-3F AWACS radar aircraft capable of ensuring detection and aerial command, a Rafale fighter jet, and a Fennec helicopter. The whole system is supervised from the Lyon Mont-Verdun Air Base, a pivotal center of military air control in France.

On-site, a team of experts from the Air and Space Army is integrated into the Monegasque command post to coordinate with internal security forces, including the police and gendarmerie.

The fight against drones at the heart of the device

At the core of this “protection bubble,” anti-drone combat holds a central place. Faced with the increasing malicious use of drones, French authorities have strengthened their capabilities for interception and neutralization.

The Fennec helicopter is deployed in a dual configuration, combining traditional aerial security missions with anti-drone combat. It can carry a team of elite shooters responsible for implementing active aerial security measures. Since 2024, these aircraft can also be equipped with the NEROD-RF system, a jammer that neutralizes a drone by disrupting communication with its pilot.

This type of device is part of an interdepartmental logic, involving the French Navy and internal security forces to ensure complete coverage, including at very low altitudes.

Protection bubble: a well-established security doctrine

The use of these “protection bubbles” has gradually become widespread in France to secure major events: Bastille Day parade, international summits like the G7 or COP, or major sports events. The goal is to temporarily prohibit any aerial intrusion within a defined perimeter, while ensuring immediate intervention capabilities.

On average, about twenty events benefit from this type of device each year, reflecting the evolution of threats and the need for a coordinated and technologically advanced response.

Beyond just protecting an event, the deployment of this DPSA in Monaco more broadly illustrates the French ability to rapidly project air security measures for a partner state, thereby strengthening its credibility in security and international cooperation.