BESANÇON, France – French Military Innovations for Future Combat
In Besançon, France, General Bruno Baratz, leader of the French Army’s Future Combat Command, is actively exploring methods to reintroduce elements of surprise and deception to modern warfare, where the battlefield has become perilously transparent. The General’s strategy involves a mix of physical decoys, electronic warfare, and electromagnetic tricks to counteract the visibility that modern technology provides on the battlefield.
According to General Baratz, the precision and power of contemporary weaponry have combined to create a lethal “death zone” at the front lines, where approaching enemy lines is extremely hazardous. He expressed these concerns during an innovation event hosted by the French 7th Armored Brigade. Baratz emphasized the critical need for technologies that can break the deadlock that this lethal transparency creates.
He drew parallels to the static fronts of World War I, where continuous surveillance such as drone monitoring along the Ukrainian front has made large-scale maneuvers nearly impossible without significant risk. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces find themselves in a perpetual stalemate reminiscent of past trench warfare, where offensive actions were often met with heavy casualties.
On the sidelines of the event held in Besançon on September 9, General Baratz elaborated on the tactical impasse, highlighting the dominance of defensive over offensive capabilities in modern conflicts. “We are caught in a tactical deadlock where the defensive capabilities outmatch the offensive ones,” Baratz said. “It’s crucial for us to introduce some level of ‘opacity’ to obscure our actions in this transparent battlefield scenario,” he added.
The General discussed various deception tactics, such as using inflatable copies of military equipment like the Caesar howitzer and the VBL light armored vehicle, which were displayed during the innovation day. He also noted the importance of electromagnetic deception, including the use of fake command posts to mislead the enemy.
Baratz stressed the growing relevance of electronic and cyber warfare as militaries become more reliant on interconnected systems. He posed several strategic questions: “How can we blind the enemy? How can we mislead them about our intentions, or create temporary vulnerabilities to regain momentum?”
Furthermore, Baratz mentioned the potential of emerging technologies such as quantum computing for secure communications and multispectral image analysis, which could revolutionize how forces perceive hidden or camouflaged objects. “These capabilities, often enhanced by artificial intelligence, are providing us with opportunities previously deemed unimaginable,” he stated.
The rapid pace of technological advancement poses challenges, especially in sectors like telecommunications where military capabilities lag significantly behind civilian advancements. However, General Baratz sees potential for a transformative shift in warfare, comparable to the changes seen in the 1920s with the introduction of mechanization and radio communications.
He reflected on the historical context, noting that past military tactics were primarily designed around geographical advantages, which dictated the dynamics of combat. “The question now is how do we tactically reinvent ourselves to avoid the pitfalls of the past, such as those we encountered in 1940,” Baratz remarked.
General Baratz emphasized that innovation is now a critical element of operational superiority. The Future Combat Command has adopted a new approach that departs from traditional hierarchical models, promoting experimentation and innovation at the regimental level. This shift aims to enhance the agility, flexibility, and creativity of the forces.
He also highlighted the importance of integrating civilian technologies into military applications and adopting open-architecture systems. Each regiment is encouraged to innovate, with a dedicated budget that has recently been increased to foster more grassroots innovation.
Finally, Baratz pointed out the military’s urgent needs in areas like robotics, autonomous vehicles, and energy generation on the battlefield. Collaborations with new companies, including those from other European countries, are vital for stimulating innovation and adapting to the evolving combat landscape.
As the battlefield continues to evolve, so too does the necessity for light, fast, and stealthy mobility solutions, such as electric scooters and motorcycles. These technologies not only enhance operational discretion but also introduce new challenges in terms of energy requirements.
General Baratz concluded with a forward-looking perspective, underscoring the unpredictable nature of technological evolution in warfare. “The future of combat is a rapidly changing landscape, making it almost impossible to predict with certainty what lies just a few years ahead,” he said.
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Jamal Peterson reports on defense, aerospace, and tech policy. With a military background and a strategic mind, he dissects complex subjects with clarity, offering readers sharp, reliable insights.
