French Army FPV Drones: Enhancing Tactical Capabilities
**The French army is stepping up its tactical drone capabilities, leveraging insights gained from the deployment of FPV drones in Ukraine against Russian forces.** In a recent announcement, the French army revealed advancements in the tactical drone capabilities of its paratrooper units, highlighting the lessons drawn from Ukraine’s use of these innovative drones on the battlefield. In this effort, the 11th Parachute Brigade undertook an extensive training program at the Tactical Drone Training Center (Centre d’Entraînement Tactique Drone, CETD) in Caylus, France, during April.
According to the brigade’s statement, this initiative represents a significant shift towards equipping troops with lightweight, agile, and precise FPV drones capable of enhancing both reconnaissance and offensive operations. The statement underscored the dynamic nature of warfare, asserting that “In an environment where war is continuously evolving, technology has become a weapon in its own right.” With this in mind, French soldiers are now undergoing specialized FPV drone training to adapt to modern combat scenarios.
A report from Defence Blog elaborated on the training objectives, emphasizing the aim to prepare paratrooper units for utilizing FPV drones in intricate operational settings. The training closely mirrored the tactics observed during Ukraine’s resistance against Russian aggression, with trainees assessed on vital skills like infiltration, stealth positioning, accurate target designation, and direct engagement of enemy fortifications.
Furthermore, the program highlighted the importance of coordination between FPV drone operators and pilots of other drone types, reflecting the collaborative use of diverse unmanned systems on contemporary battlefields. Trainees participated in simulations of offensive drone tactics, including practicing bomb drops on fortified positions. The brigade noted, “This phase of training tested the trainees’ ability to coordinate drone strikes while maintaining precision and caution in hostile environments.”
The French army’s heightened focus on FPV drones aligns with a broader trend among armed forces worldwide as they adapt to the increasing prevalence of unmanned systems in conflict scenarios. The effective utilization of FPV drones by Ukraine to target Russian armor and fortified installations has garnered significant international attention, prompting military planners in Europe and NATO to reevaluate their strategies regarding unmanned systems and drone operations.
Looking ahead, upcoming exercises, such as one planned in Greece for 2024, will see U.S. military personnel employing FPV drones, indicating a collaborative effort among allied nations. Additionally, France intends to extend support to its artillery units by integrating UAVs into their operational framework, further demonstrating the transformative impact of drone technology on modern warfare.
