In the Heart of French Military Exercises
CANJUERS, France — During a recent artillery and drone exercise in the south-east of France, the French Army faced the challenges of modern warfare head-on. Amidst heavy rainfall, while artillery units continued their operations, the adverse weather conditions revealed a significant limitation: the grounding of drone operations.
This situation mirrors the tactical adjustments seen in Ukraine, where, as reported by the Institute for the Study of War, Russian forces often coordinate their mechanized attacks to coincide with adverse weather conditions that limit drone usage.
The French Army’s recent event at Camp de Canjuers, which involved arms manufacturer KNDS and various international military representatives, was unexpectedly hampered by severe weather. The camp, known as Europe’s largest permanently garrisoned military site, experienced unusual weather that disrupted not only drone flights but also helicopter operations and equipment airdrops, leading to significant delays and adjustments.
The inclement weather triggered a chain reaction, causing civilian flights destined for nearby Nice airport to be rerouted over Canjuers, further complicating the military activities and even casting doubt on the feasibility of artillery fire.
Despite these challenges, the event showcased adaptive strategies of the 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment towards a drone-intensive battlefield. The regiment demonstrated its readiness with truck-mounted 20mm cannons, anti-drone nets, decoys, and portable jamming devices to safeguard its artillery units.
Artillery’s Enduring Relevance and the Drone Expansion
As Lt. Col. Renaud Durbecq, the operations and training lead for the regiment, highlighted, the feedback from Ukraine has underscored the pivotal role of artillery on modern battlefields. The regiment’s primary artillery system, the Caesar 155mm howitzer, exemplifies long-range firepower capabilities that drones currently cannot match.
Yet, the rapid integration of drones within the 35th Parachute Artillery Regiment (35e RAP) continues, with a significant increase in drone assets and trained operators, alongside a doubling of their flight operation hours. The regiment employs a variety of drones including the Delair DT46 for long-range intelligence and targeting, squad-level drones for immediate defense and reconnaissance, and first-person view drones for detailed surveillance and precision strikes.
Significant advancements have been made in integrating these drones directly into the regiment’s fire control systems, allowing for quicker response times from detection to engagement. Plans are underway to further expand the capabilities of the DT46 drones within the regiment, although specific details on numbers remain undisclosed.
The introduction of six experimental Proteus anti-drone cannons marks a significant step in enhancing the regiment’s capabilities to counter unmanned systems. Prior to the public demonstration, the Proteus system was tested successfully against drones disabled by the Nerod handheld jammer, including a maneuverable first-person view drone, showcasing its effectiveness in a live-fire scenario.
The regiment has also been innovative in retrofitting older equipment for modern requirements. A vintage 20mm anti-aircraft cannon mounted on a 1980s truck has been repurposed with modern targeting technology, demonstrating a resourceful approach to upgrading existing armaments. Plans are in place to further enhance these systems with artificial intelligence features on a newer vehicle platform.
Adapting to New Warfighting Realities
Olivier Fort, a former artillery colonel and current executive at KNDS, shared insights into tactical evolutions observed in Ukraine that are influencing French military strategies. One such change involves the prepositioning of artillery munitions at firing points to minimize risks from drone attacks, reflecting a shift in logistical tactics due to the prevalence of drones.
Fort also noted the high attrition rates of traditional armored artillery in Ukraine, with tracked vehicles suffering significant losses. This contrasts with the lower casualty rates of systems like the Caesar, which benefit from not carrying ammunition onboard, thus avoiding catastrophic secondary explosions from drone strikes.
Further tactical developments include the use of artillery to clear anti-drone defenses, a necessity in a landscape where stationary artillery positions are becoming less crucial compared to rapid mobility and resupply capabilities.
The ongoing conflict has prompted the French Army to enhance its operational readiness, incorporating more reservists into active duty roles, particularly in artillery units, and intensifying training regimens to prepare for prolonged engagements.
As the dynamics of warfare continue to evolve, the French military is actively adapting its strategies and capabilities, ensuring that it remains effective in the face of new challenges and technologies on the battlefield.
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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.
