France is training its military in drone tactics inspired by Ukraine

French paratroopers are enhancing their tactical drone capabilities by applying insights gained from the use of First-Person View (FPV) drones in Ukraine against Russian forces, as announced by the French military.

In April, the 11th Parachute Brigade engaged in a rigorous training program at its Tactical Drone Training Center (Centre d’Entraînement Tactique Drone, CETD) located in Caylus, France. The brigade stated that this initiative signifies a transition towards mastering lightweight, agile, and accurate FPV drones that can assist in both reconnaissance and offensive missions.

‘In a combat landscape that is continuously changing, technology has emerged as a formidable weapon,’ the brigade noted in a release. The program aims to equip paratroopers with the expertise to operate FPV drones in intricate operational settings, reflecting tactics observed during Ukraine’s resistance to Russian aggression.

Throughout the training, participants were assessed on various essential skills, such as infiltration, stealth positioning, precise target identification, and engagement with enemy forces.

The exercises underscored the importance of coordination between FPV operators and stabilized drone pilots, mirroring the integrated use of different drone types seen in contemporary warfare.

The brigade emphasized the incorporation of offensive drone strategies, particularly simulating bomb drops on fortified enemy positions.

‘This segment of the training evaluated the students’ ability to coordinate drone strikes while ensuring accuracy and discretion in hostile environments,’ the statement concluded.