French Armed Forces Update February 2021 The French Armed Forces are heavily deployed both at home and overseas. On the security front, the terrorist threat is still assessed as high in France and operation “Sentinelle” (Guardian) is still going on. Overseas, the combat units are extremely active against a determined enemy and the French soldiers are constantly adapting their courses of action and their layout plans to the threat. Impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the French Armed Forces have resumed their day-to-day activities and operations under the sign of transformation and modernization This paper provides an update on the French military operations and main activities. The French Defense Attaché Office has drafted it in accordance with open publications. For more information: https://www.defense.gouv.fr French Armed Forces Update February 2021 Table of Contents IN MEMORIAM ..................................................................................................... 3 5.1. MMP: positive feedbacks for agile firing modes ................................ 18 1.1. Deployment of the French armed forces ............................................. 4 5.2. SMALL DRONES, A Global Approach in France .................................. 19 1.2. Theaters news ...................................................................................... 5 5.3. Additive Manufacturing Technology in the French Navy ................... 20 2. FRENCH ARMED FORCES HIGHLIGHTS ......................................................... 9 5.4. NATO selects Thales to supply its first defense cloud for the armed 2.2. French Defense top priorities for 2021 .............................................. 10 forces 21 2.3. The French armed Forces employment concept ............................... 11 5.5. Military applications and perspectives for Artificial Intelligence ........... 22 3. ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR TOMORROW ........................................... 12 6. THE FOREIGN LEGION ................................................................................ 24 4. LEADERS OF TOMORROW .......................................................................... 14 6.1. For the service of France .................................................................... 24 4.1. The French Ecole de Guerre Terre / the French Army Staff College .. 14 6.2. Proud of their traditions ..................................................................... 26 4.2. Which Tactical chief do we need and want tomorrow ? ................... 16 7. CALENDAR .................................................................................................. 28 5. INNOVATION CORNER ........................................................................... 18 For more information: https://www.defense.gouv.fr French Armed Forces Update February 2021 Back to the table of Contents IN MEMORIAM Deux hussards parachut istes tués par un engin explosif improvisé au Mali | Zone Militaire 09/09/2020 11:16 OnSHARE December 28th, during an escort mission between Hombori and Gossi, three + er soldiers& of the 1 Régiment de Chasseurs were killed in action after the detonation of+ an improvised explosive device. Despite the provision of immediate care and their! quick transportation to the hospital, Brigadier Dorian ISSAKHANIAN, Maréchal + des' Logis Tanerii MAURI and Brigadier Quentin PAUCHET (from left to right) died from+ their injuries. ( Après la perte du hussard de 1ere classe Tojohasina Razafintsalama, le 23 juillet, lors d’une attaque suicide commise avec un VBIED [véhicule piégé], le 1er Régiment de Hussards Parachutistes [RHP] a une nouvelle fois été endeuillé, ce 5 septembre. En effet, en fin de matinée, l’un de ses VBL [Véhicule blindé léger] a été visé par un engin explosif improvisé [IED] lors d’une opération de contrôle d ezone rd dans la région de Tessalit. On January 3 , Sergent Yvonne HUYNH (left) and Brigadier Loïc RISSER (right) from the 2e Régiment de Hussards died in similar conditions during a recce patrol in vicinity of Menaka. Les trois occupants du blindés ont été très gravement blessés par l’ explosion. Malheureusement, malgré les soins prodigués immédiatement par l’équipe médicale déployée à leurs côtés, deux d’entre-eux, le hussard parachutiste de première classe Arnaud Volpe et le brigadier-chef de première classe S.T [*] ont succombé à leurs blessures. Le pronostic vital de leur camarade, pour le moment stable, reste « réservé », selon l’État-major des armées [EMA]. BackLa force tode réaction the table rapide a of été Contents« déclenchée », avec l’appui de deux Mirage 2000D, a précisé l’EMA. « La détermination de la force Barkhane n’est en rien entamée face à un ennemi encore capable de porter des coups », a-t-il For more information: https://www.defense.gouv.fr souligné. « Le Président de la République s’incline avec un profond respect devant le sacrifice de ces soldats du 1er régiment de hussards parachutistes de T arbes, morts pour la France dans l’accomplissement de leur mission contre le http://www.opex360.com/2020/09/05/d eux- hussards-parachut istes-tues-par- un-engin-explosif- improvise- au- mali/ Page 2 sur 20 French Armed Forces Update February 2021 Back to the table of Contents 1. OPERATIONS 1.1. Deployment of the French armed forces1 Homeland Protection FRENCH ARMED FORCES – CURRENT OPERATIONS More than 30,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen & Gendarmes deployed overseas (20,000 Army) 13,000 Sovereignty forces Nuclear Deterrence 7,150 Forward forces 3,750 Overseas Operations NAVAL MISSIONS UN EU NATO 5,100 600 740 150 4,150 300 1 Army, Air Force, Navy and Gendarmerie Back to the table of Contents For more information: https://www.defense.gouv.fr French Armed Forces Update February 2021 Back to the table of Contents 1.2. Theaters news CHAMMAL: MULTINATIONAL JOINT OPERATIONS IN SYRIA AND IRAK Launched in September 2014, at the request of the Iraqi government and in coordination with allied forces, operation Chammal provides air and ground support as well as training to Iraqi forces committed against ISIS and other terrorist groups. The operation has been extended to Syria following the terrorist attacks in November 2015. France's contribution to the operations is mainly supported by two detachments of the French Air Force. Based in Jordan and in the United Arab Emirates, they participate to the allied air strikes against ISIS. Concerning the mentorship and the training support to the Iraqi Forces, the French Army contributes to the global efforts of the alliance after the reorganization of Operation Inherent Resolve’s command structures. Back to the table of Contents For more information: https://www.defense.gouv.fr French Armed Forces Update February 2021 Back to the table of Contents BARKHANE: GLOBAL SUB-SAHARAN ANTI-TERRORIST MISSION Operation Barkhane, which spans over five countries in the Sahel region of North Africa, started at the beginning of August 2014 after the completion of Operation Serval. With their main base located in the Chadian capital N'Djamena, the FR forces actively operate in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Chad and Niger. In the first days of January, Mrs Parly, Minister of the Armed Forces, reaffirmed the four pillars of France in Mali: fight the terrorist groups, reinforce the local forces, support the return of the state to the reconquered territories and support the development of the region. On the battlefield, BARKHANE forces conducted a wide operation that embodies these objectives. Called ECLIPSE, this operation was comparable in size to BOURASQUE which took place in October 2020. It largely involved partners and allied troops. Like Operation BOURRASQUE, Operation ECLIPSE engaged more than 3,400 soldiers including 1,500 French and 1,900 partners, among them, 900 Burkinabe, 850 Malians and 150 Nigerians. Informed and supported by French and allied aircrafts, this force operated for a month in an area 400 kilometers wide and 200 kilometers deep straddling several borders. With almost 500 combat vehicles, helicopters, and tactical transport aircraft, it demonstrated great mobility that prevented the enemy from maneuvering. Back to the table of Contents For more information: https://www.defense.gouv.fr French Armed Forces Update February 2021 Back to the table of Contents On the French side, the Barkhane Force engaged the Lamy and Conti Desert Tactical Groups (GTD), the maneuver and attack helicopters of the Hombori Desert Air Combat Group (GTD-A), the Commando Group, and its air component. The Air Force assets involved (Mirage 2000D and 2000C, drones, A400M Atlas, C 130J) totalized more than 600 flight hours to collect intelligence and support the force by conducting strikes and logistic mission. At the end, this operation neutralized many terrorist groups, seized and destroyed weapons, communication systems, pick- ups and motorcycles. Back to the table of Contents For more information: https://www.defense.gouv.fr French Armed Forces Update February 2021 Back to the table of Contents SENTINELLE & RESILIENCE: HOMELAND PROTECTION Committing 10,000 soldiers across the country, operation Sentinelle was launched to support the security forces in the aftermath of the November 2015 terrorist attacks. This operation is still ongoing. The Operation Sentinelle still includes three responsive layers: - a permanent operational force of 2,600 men, whose objective is to secure the most sensitive and vulnerable areas; - a planned reinforcement echelon of 4,400 men, helping to secure occasional or seasonal events; - a strategic reserve