Harmattan AI unveils IRIFI autonomous long-range strike system

What's the deal? French defence AI startup Harmattan AI has unveiled IRIFI, an autonomous long-range one-way attack drone system designed to strike targets up to 2,000 km away without relying on satellite navigation or in-flight human control, the company revealed on 6 October 2026. IRIFI launches from a mobile canister launcher built for rapid deployment in volume, carries an onboard navigation system that does not depend on GPS or other satellite signals, and uses camera-based guidance for its final approach. The company says a single commander can launch dozens of strikes, with targets confirmed by human commanders before launch.

Why it matters: The unveiling marks Harmattan AI's move into deep strike, positioning IRIFI between cheap mass-produced drones such as the Shahed and expensive cruise missiles. The Paris-based company, founded in 2024 and backed by Dassault Aviation, says it has won programmes of record with the French and UK defence ministries; the UK Ministry of Defence ordered 3,000 of its unmanned systems in 2025. The company did not disclose IRIFI's speed, payload, unit cost or customers.

Read more: The Defence Blog · Harmattan AI