French President Macron observes the end of military exercise Orion 26 [Context: The largest military exercise conducted by France since the Cold War, designed around a scenario of conflict in Europe.] This Thursday, Emmanuel Macron visits Mailly-le-Camp to witness the fourth and final phase of the military exercise Orion 26, which serves as the culmination of the operational preparation sequence initiated by the French armed forces since the fall of 2025. The exercise spanned 15 departments, including Aude and Lot, following its inception in 2021 and revision after the invasion of Ukraine. Orion 26, a fictitious scenario pitting Mercure against Arnland, reflects current destabilization dynamics in Europe and the resurgence of interstate conflicts. The exercise aims to test strategic planning, coalition deployment, inter-ministerial coordination, and high-intensity allied engagement within a framework of collective defense inspired by NATO.
Totaling 12,500 military personnel, supported by 1,800 vehicles, 30 helicopters, and 800 drones, Orion 26 saw the engagement of three brigades from the Army, ensuring maritime-aero superiority and deep strike capability. Likewise, the Air Force provided a protective air defense bubble for the deployed forces. The exercise’s central goal is to verify France’s ability to lead, command a coalition, and integrate into a multinational maneuver framework, showcasing France’s core “framework nation” strategy. The next phase seen by the head of state involves intensifying activities such as command post briefings, aerial combat maneuvers, artillery fire, and real-time combined arms combat, aiming to challenge forces in a contested environment marked by drones, dispersed command posts, and operational discomfort.
In line with broader rearmament strategies initiated in 2025, Orion 26 also highlights concerns about high-intensity ammunition consumption and the need to adapt resources to new forms of conflict. Through this exercise, France signals a significant doctrinal shift towards preparing for protracted, multi-domain, collective warfare at the heart of the European continent.
