In France’s largest cross-army military exercise in more than 30 years, French and allied forces rehearsed the defense against a major enemy attack on a friendly country. With a manpower of 1,200 soldiers, the Franco-German Brigade took on the role of the attacker.
In the large-scale exercise Orion, France and its NATO allies simulated the defense against an invasion. Around 12,000 soldiers were on standby for this purpose. In addition, vehicles and combat vehicles as well as combat aircraft, drones and helicopters were deployed. Furthermore, the French navy participated.
The last time France mobilized a comparable number of troops for a free-ranging exercise was in 1987. The geographical focus is on the Grand-Est region in eastern France, particularly the area around Reims.
The participating members of the Franco-German Brigade (DF Brigade) constituted the “Forces Red.” On April 19, about 1,200 soldiers began advancing northward from the commune of Chaumont. Although the exercise was conducted in homogeneous, not mixed, units, international cooperation went well, said Major Thomas Bschorr. However, the commander of the Franco-German Brigade, Colonel Philipp Leyde, still sees potential for expansion. Interoperability with the French can still be expanded, he said. That is why liaison officers have been deployed.
Jonas Brandstetter, editorial staff