France launches major ORION 2026 military exercises PHOTO

France and its allies have begun the active phase of large-scale military exercises, ORION 2026, involving more than 12,000 personnel.

The drills, running from February 8 to April 30 across France, will see around a third of troops coming from allied nations, Caliber.Az reports via a French newspaper.

The exercises will feature substantial use of equipment, including approximately 140 aircraft and helicopters, 1,200 drones, and more than 2,000 ground vehicles, including armoured personnel carriers and tanks. The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle will also take part.

Twelve French ministries are involved, with exercises covering cyber defence, counter-electromagnetic threats, and satellite intelligence operations.

The scenario centres on a fictional state, Arnland, facing pressure from a mock adversary, Mercury. According to the exercise plan, Arnland requests French assistance on 6 January, prompting the deployment of a military contingent to protect its ally.

French General Yves Godillier said the scenario is designed to test responses against a simulated opponent with capabilities similar to Western armies, creating conditions close to modern warfare.

By Aghakazim Guliyev