France Conducts TARANIS Drill to Enhance Modern Warfare Readiness

The French military is currently engaged in an extensive drill known as the Tactical Airlift Rehearsal under Advanced Non-permissive and Intensive Scenarios (TARANIS), which began on November 10, 2023. This exercise aims to prepare pilots, technicians, and support teams for the types of operations France may need to conduct amid a rapidly changing global security landscape. Euronews was granted exclusive access to observe these preparations firsthand, including a flight aboard a Fennec helicopter departing from the Orléans–Bricy Air Base.

TARANIS, designed to replicate high-intensity operational scenarios, stretches over three weeks. It incorporates rigorous training to ensure that French military crews remain mission-ready. The exercise includes significant tests such as landing on improvised surfaces, mirroring conditions found in external operations. This year, participants practiced landing A400M aircraft on a newly constructed gravel runway, which reflects the makeshift airstrips used in real-world missions. The first successful landing drew applause from attendees, including journalists, following a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Orléans–Bricy Air Base is home to nearly the entire French fleet of A400M aircraft, totaling 24 units. These heavy military transport planes are versatile, capable of executing long-range troop deployments, conducting humanitarian relief drops, and facilitating emergency evacuations. The A400M’s presence is a critical component of France’s military response capabilities.

In addition to A400Ms, the exercise features two variants of the Fennec helicopter. One version is equipped for anti-drone missions, which have gained prominence following recent drone incursions into Danish airspace. The second variant includes a heavier weapon mounted on an articulated arm, enabling it to engage larger drones, a concern that has become increasingly relevant in Eastern Europe.

In late September, France, alongside Germany and Sweden, deployed troops and anti-drone systems to Denmark as part of a joint effort to bolster aerial security. This collaboration underscores the importance of international partnerships in addressing emerging threats.

Commanding Officer Grégoire, one of the helicopter pilots involved in TARANIS, articulated the dual mission of France’s assault brigade: “What drives us is our motto: to fight and to save. Fighting means inserting or extracting commandos and protecting our airspace. Saving means hoisting people to safety and recovering those in danger. That’s what we’re demonstrating here.”

The TARANIS exercise is scheduled to conclude on November 27, 2023, aligning with the 80th anniversary of France’s military air transport command. This milestone serves as a poignant reminder of the force’s long-standing heritage and the evolving threats that inform its training. The ongoing drill encapsulates France’s commitment to maintaining a robust military posture in an increasingly complex international environment.