French Army adopt fibre-optic drones, ground robots and 3D printers, drawing on Ukraine's experience
The French Army has presented new combat systems and defence solutions, developed on the basis of lessons learned from the war in Ukraine.
Source: Defence Blog
Details: The presentation was carried out by troops from the French Army's 2nd Armoured Brigade at a training ground in the town of Bitche. Some of the technologies shown during the exercise were developed with consideration for how they have performed on the battlefield in Ukraine.
According to Defence Blog, France presented, among other systems, the TEMARA attack drone. This is an FPV drone with fibre-optic guidance that can be used despite electronic warfare.
"The system includes a secured firing mechanism and is intended for close-range strikes against vehicles and fortified positions," Defence Blog explained.
The training ground also presented examples of "adaptive protection" for armoured vehicles, which is layered onto armoured platforms and reduces their vulnerability to attack drones.
Another unmanned system presented by the French was the RIC2RIC reconnaissance ground robot. Defence Blog added that it will be used to support tactical units at close range, as is done on the battlefield in Ukraine, reducing risks for soldiers.
Anti-tank mines PAC 13 were also shown at the Bitche training ground. Their casings are produced using 3D printers for "rapid local production".
"French Army officials said the concept draws directly from Ukrainian wartime practices, where locally manufactured munitions allow faster adaptation to changing battlefield conditions and terrain," the outlet reported.
Another system the French military plans to use, taking into account combat experience in Ukraine, is the NTGS mobile mortar. The use of this British-Spanish development in Ukraine was reported as early as November 2023. It is mounted on a vehicle platform, with the mortar deployed in less than 45 seconds. The system can fire six 120 mm rounds in under one minute.
Quote: "France's focus on Ukraine-derived battlefield lessons reflects a broader shift across NATO ground forces, which are reassessing doctrine, protection, and fire support in response to drone-dominated combat environments. The French Army has described Ukraine as a real-world laboratory for modern land warfare, providing immediate and practical insights that cannot be replicated in exercises alone."
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