French Army

France's tiger combat helicopters will fly during the July 14 Bastille Day parade in Paris. Four of these helicopters recently completed a mission in the Middle East, destroying Iranian Shahed drones targeting Gulf states. France 2's journalists accompanied pilots during rehearsals between Chartres and Paris.

The French Army is equipping Leclerc XLR tanks with roof-mounted anti-drone cage armor, developed by the STAT technical section and manufactured by KNDS France. The upgrade is part of France's Scorpion modernization program, with plans for an interim capability before the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) is introduced by 2045.

French Army Chief of Staff Gen. Pierre Schill discusses the army's push toward higher readiness and adaptation to modern warfare, emphasizing innovation through bottom-up and top-down approaches. He highlights lessons from Ukraine while cautioning against over-reliance on its model, noting the coexistence of advanced technologies and traditional combat methods.

The French Army has a surplus of recruits but lacks equipment like spare parts and counter-drone defenses, according to deputy chief Gen. Patrick Justel. Unlike Germany and Poland, which face recruitment shortages despite funding, France slowed recruitment in 2023 due to budget constraints. France plans to recruit 21,400 active-duty troops in 2026, while Germany and Poland aim to expand their forces significantly.

The French Army hosted its first international drone competition at Chaumont-Semoutiers airbase, where NATO soldiers raced FPV drones and shared tactical insights. The event combined drone racing with simulated military strikes, reflecting FPV drones' growing role in modern warfare, particularly in Ukraine, where they now inflict 60% of Russian army losses.