The French military is testing modern approaches to combat operations, combining the capabilities of attack and reconnaissance drones with helicopter aviation. The goal is to create new doctrines that take into account the lessons of the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Here's What We Know
The French army is studying the experience of the Russian-Ukrainian war, experimenting with FPV strike drones and looking for tactics that could enhance combat capabilities in intense combat. One of these experiments was the manoeuvres of the 3rd Regiment of Combat Helicopters. During the exercises, drones were launched directly from a Gazelle helicopter to provide reconnaissance and fire support.
"Observing the technological advances in today's theatres of war, the 3rd Combat Helicopter Regiment has begun to explore the possibilities of using FPV drones," the Army Inspectorate General said. "This experiment has a broader ambition: to accelerate cooperation between small drones and aviation to enhance the effectiveness of the reconnaissance loop" and ultimately "to increase the potential for high-intensity tactical operations."
Soldiers of the French 3rd Helicopter Regiment practice using drones. Illustration: Inspection de l'armée de Terre
According to General David Cruzill, Commander of the French Army's Light Air Force, the technological level finally allows for the implementation of the doctrine of combined helicopter and drone use developed 15 years ago. "The drone today is a great opportunity. There is such a technological leap that we can move from doctrine to implementation," he said.
The exercises are aimed not only at practising current tactics but also at creating new doctrines for the use of helicopters in combination with specialised tracking drones. The French military predicts that by 2040, air combat will become "drone-based". According to Lieutenant Colonel Kerangat, in the future, helicopters will be accompanied by tactical drones that will be used in all conditions.
Nevertheless, the Chief of the General Staff of the French Armed Forces, General Pierre Chille, stressed that the army should be careful in making decisions to abandon manned attack helicopters, given their important role in modern military operations.
Source: Zone Militaire