Large-scale fictitious military operations were organized in Aube and Marne. During a visit on Thursday, April 30, Emmanuel Macron explained that the objective is to “make France a power recognized by its allies and feared by its enemies.”
Helicopter raids, shooting exercises, and trench overflights took place in the departments of Aube and Marne as part of the Orion-26 military exercises, simulating an aggression by an enemy country. Emmanuel Macron reiterated the goal of these exercises: France must adapt to the threats. “I am here today to tell you to continue to fight to make France a power recognized by its allies and feared by its enemies. It demonstrates every day to what extent our international environment is brutalizing, the current events that we are experiencing. And we are right to continue to adapt to the threat,” stated the head of state.
In total, over 12,000 French soldiers, as well as those from NATO countries, are participating in large-scale fictional scenarios. The aim is to demonstrate that the army is ready to face future battles thanks to new technologies. “Obviously, the Ukrainian context, the geopolitical context influences the modernization of our procedures. We try to always be at the forefront of what is done in new wars, it’s obvious,” explained Captain Benjamin from the 3rd Engineer Regiment in Charleville-Mézières (Ardennes).
These soldiers have been training since February across the country. This is the largest exercise since the end of the Cold War. In addition to the physical forces on the ground, nearly 2,000 tactical vehicles have been deployed, along with 30 helicopters and 800 combat drones.
