The French army is organizing its first international military drone competition

For three days, the 61st artillery regiment of Semoutiers-Montsaon (Haute-Marne) hosted the first international military drone challenge organized by the Army on Tuesday May 19 and Wednesday May 20. In total, 37 French teams and 11 NATO allied teams competed in full-scale events.

With virtual reality headsets screwed onto their eyes, the military guides their drones launched at full speed between obstacles, through concrete buildings or towards targets to be reached. For two days, on May 19 and 20, the 61st artillery regiment of Semoutiers-Montsaon, near Chaumont (Haute-Marne), hosted the very first international military drone challenge organized by the French Army.

Around a hundred participants gathered at the Haut-Marne base: 37 French teams and 11 allied teams from NATO countries, including the United Kingdom, Poland, Italy, Denmark and the United States.

For the soldiers involved, the stakes go far beyond the competition. “These are exercises that we do regularly at home, but that we cannot reproduce in such large spaces. So there’s a real point in finalizing what we’re training for…explains Master Corporal Clément, of the 7th Alpine Hunter Battalion.

These scenarios also allow the teams to test their equipment in more realistic conditions and to identify possible technical flaws before operational training. In the field, they must in fact cross complex routes, enter buildings or reach targets with FPV drones, piloted in immersion thanks to video glasses. “When I put on the mask, I no longer exist in this realitysays the soldier. That’s why it’s important to have a partner.â€

An essential role during the tests, confirms Master Sergeant Aymeric, of the 7th BCA, responsible for guiding the pilot during the flight. “With the mask, he no longer sees his real environment”he explains: “We are there to help him orient himself, show him the passages or react in the event of loss of connection with the drone.” These are now compact models, sometimes the size of a shoebox, far from the large drones long favored by many NATO armies, including France.

The challenge was organized in the Haut-Marne base in particular thanks to the infrastructures of the 61st artillery regiment and the presence of the Drone School. “550 hectares available and permanent air space†, details Commander Cyril, responsible for the use of drones at the command of the land operations force.

For the French army, this gathering also serves to compare working methods between units and allied countries. “It creates emulation and it pulls us upwards†, explains Chief Sergeant Aymeric. Same observation on the British side. Sergeant Luke Crossley, from the Royal School of Military Engineering, says he is impressed by the level of the French teams despite sometimes recent experience: “Some French teams have only had around two to five months of training. However, they are doing very well.”

Around the testing grounds, around twenty manufacturers and start-ups were also present to present their equipment and training. A strategic issue for the army, which seeks to accelerate its adaptation to technological developments observed in particular in Ukraine.Drones are now an essential reality of all operations. It’s a bit like the new frontier… underlines General Pierre Schill, Chief of Staff of the Army.

An evolution which is reflected concretely in the means committed by the French army. “This year, in the Army, we are buying 15,000 drones. The year before, it was in the thousands and before that again in the hundreds. There is really a change in dimension… details General Pierre Schill, who also insists on the dazzling speed of technological developments:“A year from now, things will have changed a lot.â€