Media: French forces strengthen NATO's defence strategy with new maps for potential conflict

French military personnel are actively preparing for possible military operations on the border between Romania, Ukraine, and Moldova, as tensions with Russia continue to rise.

Members of the 28th Separate Military Unit of the French Ground Forces—the country's sole military cartography unit—arrived in Romania in 2024 to revise critical terrain maps, Caliber.Az reports citing French media.

The unit, which specializes in creating detailed maps for military use, has focused on mapping the Focsani Gate, a key corridor between the Carpathian Mountains and the Danube River. NATO has expressed concerns that Russia could use this area in future military operations, making the accurate mapping of the terrain vital for strategic planning.

Colonel Guillaume Schmidt, the unit's commander, stressed the importance of preparedness, stating, "Troops need to be prepared to continue combat actions even when satellite signals are jammed." Schmidt’s comments highlight the necessity for troops to rely on accurate, updated data in the event of electronic warfare that could disrupt satellite communications.

Colonel Jerome, another French officer involved in the mission, explained the broader purpose of the cartographic effort: "Allies required updated data on the potential theater of operations." He further elaborated that NATO forces must know the optimal locations for positioning weapons and the best routes for the movement of military assets to ensure operational efficiency in any potential conflict.

In collaboration with Romania’s National Agency of Cartography, the French military has developed a 3D terrain map of the area. This map is touted to be far more accurate than commercially available maps and carries strategic importance for military planning. It also includes a comprehensive list of critical infrastructure, which could be of interest during military operations.

Le Figaro reported in March that European military forces, including France, are making extensive preparations for a potential conflict with Russia. The French military’s strategic map-making effort is just one component of these preparations, which aim to ensure NATO's readiness should tensions escalate into open conflict.

By Vafa Guliyeva